Devendra Fadnavis assures funds for land acquisition to speed up infra projects

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured that the state government will provide the necessary funds for land acquisition required for key infrastructure projects particularly those aimed at addressing traffic congestion in the rapidly expanding PunePimpri Chinchwad region reported news agency PTIThe chief minister made the remarks in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during a discussion on worsening traffic congestion and the governmentrsquos efforts to improve connectivity through new road networks metro corridors and ring road projectsGovernment committed to funding land acquisitionFadnavis said the state government would ensure that financial resources are made available wherever required to facilitate land acquisition for major infrastructure works reported PTIldquoThe state government will make available the funds needed for land acquisition In some cases the municipal corporations will also have to contribute and we will coordinate to ensure the work moves forwardrdquo he said reported PTIHe emphasised that smooth and timely acquisition of land is essential for completing major transport and connectivity projects designed to ease congestion in the fastgrowing urban corridor around PuneStrategic planning underway for PunePimpri Chinchwad regionDuring the discussion Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal informed the assembly that the state government is undertaking strategic planning to tackle traffic congestion in the PunePimpri Chinchwad belt reported PTIShe said several infrastructure initiatives including road widening metro connectivity and ring road projects are currently underway or in advanced stages of planning and implementationMisal also noted that improving connectivity in Punersquos rapidly growing IT and industrial belt remains a key priority for the government to prevent the infrastructure challenges faced by other major technology hubs reported PTINew road connectivity projects planned across regionAccording to the minister despite the cancellation of the earlier development plan of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority the government has directed authorities to continue strategic infrastructure planning reported PTIShe said new road networks including 18metre and 24metre wide roads are being planned to strengthen connectivity across the metropolitan regionSeveral works aimed at easing traffic congestion are already underway in areas such as Wakad Tathawade and Punawale The government is also developing road connectivity between Bhumkar Bridge and Navale Bridge to improve traffic movementMajor transport projects progressing in regionMisal informed the assembly that a proposal worth around Rs 3660 crore has been submitted for the NerendashRavet bridge project while the Nashik Phata to Khed eightlane corridor has already received approval reported PTIShe added that metro expansion in the Pune metropolitan region has also made significant progressMetro corridors from PCMC to Phugewadi and from Phugewadi to District Court are nearing completion with the overall work reaching around 98 per centSmart traffic systems and ring road work underwayThe minister said the government is also planning to introduce artificial intelligencebased smart traffic signal systems to improve traffic management in the Pune metropolitan region reported PTILand acquisition for several road stretches including the BhosarindashIndrayani river corridor has already reached around 69 to 70 per cent completion with the remaining process expected to move forward once funds are allocatedMisal added that work on multiple packages of the ring road project under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has already begun while land acquisition for the inner ring road planned by PMRDA is currently underway reported PTIShe also assured the House that encroachments along major roads would be addressed and necessary directions would be issued to relevant authorities to help reduce congestion in the regionWith inputs from PTI