Rs 320 crore project to convert road from Rajiv Gandhi Bridge to Ravet into six-lane thoroughfare stuck since 2009; commuters fed up of rough rides
Rs 320 crore project to convert road from Rajiv Gandhi Bridge to Ravet into six-lane thoroughfare stuck since 2009; commuters fed up of rough rides
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Roughing it: The haphazard traffic on the road from Kalewadi to Dange
chowk. Pic/Jignesh Mistry
The project came to a halt in 2009 when negotiations between PCMC and defence authorities failed. It has retained the status quo ever since.According to PCMC sources, defence authorities stopped work on phase I and II (Aundh Road to Sai Chowk) after PCMC had failed to pay the pending dues.
Commuters at loss
Due to the unfinished work on the road, residents and office-goers are experiencing severe hardship. Flat tyres, body ache, accidents are some of the major complaints. Sushant Mohapatra, a working professional staying at Sai Chowk describes his daily commute as a nightmare. "After the construction on Sanghvi Road stopped months ago, the authorities had prepared a kacha road.
The road is strewn with chips on the kacha road making it very difficult to navigate around it. It's a serious threat to us. It's a risk task using this road at night." Pawan Sharma, a student, said, "I prefer not travelling late at night. It's very risky. I have started using a helmet as a safety measure."
Traffic police woes
Not only are the commuters harrowed, the traffic divisions also have a tough time managing the crowd. According to Rajani Sarawade, API, traffic division, Sanghvi the bad condition of the road leads to minor and major accidents on a daily basis. "To add to our woes, there are no street lights or reflectors on the diversion boards. Night drivers are unable to see the road properly resulting in accidents. We have complained about this issue to PCMC authorities but nothing has happened so far." She further adds that since work has closed the problems have increased even more.
According to an unofficial statistic by Pune traffic division, five accidents ufffdminor and major ufffdhappen on an average every week. An engineer from PBAI Infrastructure Limited involved with the construction of this road said on conditions of anonymity that they are sitting idle for past one year. "Even work at Phase 4, 5, 6 and 7 has stopped after residents and shop-owners filed a case against PCMC because of road widening. They have got a stay order and so there is no work."
PCMC excuse
On the other hand PCMC maintains that lack of funding is the reason behind stoppage of work. Dilip Kudale, PCMC spokesperson said, "Initially when the plan was discussed with the southern command, there was no discussion about money. It was discussed that we will build community hall, stadium for the defence authorities. But later they demanded commercial rate of Rs 159 crores for their land. We do not have that much money to spend."
Talking about phase 4, 5 and 6, he added that the case is still pending. The concerned party has obtained a stay order and hence we are unable to continue with the work. When asked about the costs incurred by the project till date, he said that he couldn't comment about it.u00a0u00a0
Prashant Pratrape, Defence spokesperson refused to comment on the matter.
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