In a huge relief for the people of Kothrud, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has sanctioned plans to join four key missing road links in the suburb, allocating ₹140 crore for land acquisition and compensation. The decision comes in an effort to ease perennial traffic jams and boost connectivity in one of Pune’s most congested areas. Yet the attention to Kothrud has raised questions about the civic body’s priorities, as other sections of the city wait for comparable focus on their languishing road schemes.
Mrudula Narale
Pune | May 19, 2025: The sanction of projects aims at identified stretches in Pune’s Development Plan and Regional Plan, which have targeted approximately 700 missing road links spread over 520 km across the city. The gaps, usually created due to delays in the acquisition of land, have been clogging traffic for years. In Kothrud, the approved funds will ensure the construction of four key roads that will solve chronic commuter issues. The civic body has provisioned ₹2.10 crore to purchase 200 meters of land for a 30-meter-wide Development Plan road in Dahanu Colony. Another ₹73 crore will be utilized for land acquisition for a 1,360-meter section of a 36-meter-wide road linking Balewadi Mata Mandir to Gavthan’s Lakshmi Mata Jupiter Hospital Chowk. In addition, ₹50 crore will be used to pay compensation to 19 owners of properties along a 36-meter-width road from Rajaram Bridge to Tawalkar Udyan, and ₹15 crore will pay compensation to 15 owners of properties for a 30-meter-width road connecting Jawalkar Udyan to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk.
These projects are part of PMC’s overall plans to develop minor suburban roads along flyovers and grade separators to relieve traffic pressure. Yet, land taking is an impediment, encompassing both government and private land. Even though private owners are usually compensated using Floor Space Index (FSI) and Transferable Development Rights (TDR) programs, most owners prefer monetary compensation, which delays it and results in patchwork road sections. Even though much money has been spent, traffic problems continue, reflecting the need for completing these gaps.
The PMC has budgeted for missing links and requested ₹100 crore from the state government to fund further roadwork. The civic body’s priorities on Kothrud, when other areas are left behind, is questioned by critics, citing uneven progress in completing the city’s 450 km of incomplete roads. Surveys have been conducted by the road department to identify priority areas, but the funding challenges and dependence on state government aid keep the pace slow.
This focused investment in Kothrud heralds a promise of enhanced suburban connectivity, with easier commutes and less congestion. However, for Pune to see overall relief in traffic, the PMC needs to strike a balance between all areas, with balanced development and timely implementation of its ambitious road network proposals.
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