Pune: Maharashtra State Government Allocates Funds for Katraj-Kondhwa Road Widening

Pune, 16th March 2024: In a significant development aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in South Pune, the Maharashtra state government has allocated approximately 140 crore rupees to the Pune municipal corporation (PMC) for land acquisition concerning the Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project. The infusion of government funds is poised to expedite the much-needed expansion of this crucial thoroughfare.

The Katraj-Kondhwa bypass road project, spearheaded by the Municipal Corporation, has faced persistent hurdles, primarily attributed to challenges in land acquisition. Initially envisioned as an 84-meter-wide passage, the road’s width was curtailed to 50 meters due to ongoing land acquisition impediments. Despite this adjustment, certain landowners persisted in demanding cash compensation over Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and Floor Space Index (FSI), thereby impeding progress along the 4-kilometer stretch between Rajas Society Chowk and Khadimachine Chowk.

Over the past few years, the prolonged delays in road construction have exacerbated the woes of the local populace, grappling with burgeoning traffic volumes, frequent accidents, and perpetual gridlocks. Recognizing the urgency of addressing these issues, authorities designated the route as a National Highway, prompting central government intervention to fund the construction of a flyover between Wonder City at Ambegaon on Satara Road to Rajas Society Chowk.

However, the completion of the remaining roadwork languished due to persistent land acquisition challenges. Urgent appeals from municipal authorities for a state government grant of 200 crore rupees to facilitate land acquisition went unanswered for months. Despite the positive response from the state government and its commitment to allocate funds, disbursement delays plagued the process for six months following the announcement.

In a timely move, just hours before the initiation of the Lok Sabha elections’ code of conduct, the state government issued a government order sanctioning half of the land acquisition costs, totaling 139 crore 83 lakh rupees, to the municipal corporation. The allocated sum of 279 crore 66 lakh rupees will be earmarked for land acquisition, with the remaining balance to be borne by the municipality.