MoRTH clears ₹169-cr six-lane flyover in Pune

To resolve the perennial traffic chaos at the busy Katraj chowk in Pune city, the Union transport ministry has sanctioned ₹169.15 crore for building a six-lane flyover at the junction that falls on the National Highway stretch. The point connects Pune city to the Mumbai-Banglore bypass and Pune-Solapur highway. Union Transport Minister informed that his ministry has declared sanctioning of the construction work of the flyover for which the tender process was completed recently. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had proposed a flyover at Katraj junction to address the traffic chaos but could not take up the work for long. Thus, the union minister decided to take up the project as it pertains to the construction of two bridges and two pedestrian walkways. The Rajiv Gandhi zoological park had provided part of its land for the construction of flyover while urging the Union government to ensure measures for the safety of animals in the zoo. The junction, which is on the Mumbai-Banglore bypass, also provides entry into the city from Kothrud and Pashan, National Defence Academy (NDA) and connects to Mulshi. The bypass has been a connecting point to the Information Technology Park at Hinjewadi for residents living in Pashan, Kothrud, Warje, Sinhagad Road and Satara road. The flyover will be 1,326 metres long and 24.20 metres wide and will start from the Pune Mumbai bypass and land on Katraj-Kondhwa road. The PMC is also widening the Katraj Kondhwa road to cater to the increasing traffic due to rapid urbanization in the area. The Union government has already taken up the widening of 3.88 km bypass and seven-metre wide service road from Navale bridge in Vadgaon Budruk to Katraj junction to provide allied facilities.