The much-anticipated flyover on Sinhagad Road is set to open for the public soon, as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has nearly completed work on the 2.2 km long lane from Vithalwadi to Funtime Theatre. Work on the opposite lane, a 1.54 km stretch from Indian Hume Pipe to Inamdar Chowk, is expected to be completed by June.

Phase-1 of the project, a 520-metre-long flyover at Rajaram Bridge Chowk on Sinhagad Road, was completed in August last year. This followed criticism from the opposition, which accused the civic administration of delaying the inauguration due to the unavailability of ministers. At that point, the focus shifted to completing the largest part of the flyover in Phase-2, which would help commuters bypass five traffic signals on the congested road. The project is estimated to cost Rs 1.18 billion, with an additional Rs 270 million allocated for the metro pillars.

Phase-2 of the project includes a 2.12 km flyover on one side from Vithalwadi to Fun Time Theatre, and a 1.54 km flyover from Indian Hume Pipe to Inamdar Chowk. According to Yuvraj Deshmukh, the Chief Engineer of PMC, the work on the 2.12 km lane is complete, except for signages and other minor tasks, and it is expected to be opened by next week. However, the work on the opposite 1.54 km stretch will only be completed by June. Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale inspected the 2.12 km long flyover to check its progress.

The flyover is expected to help motorists avoid traffic signals at Vitthalwadi, Hingne Khurd, Anandnagar, Bramha Hotel, and Goel Ganga Chowk while traveling from Vithalwadi to Fun Time Theatre on Sinhagad Road. The other lane will help bypass traffic signals at Bramha Hotel, Anandnagar, and Hingne Khurd.

The primary objective of the flyover is to alleviate traffic congestion at the Rajaram Bridge junction and ease traffic flow on Sinhagad Road. It will also make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road and improve travel to Swargate, while reducing fuel consumption for vehicles that otherwise get stuck in traffic jams.

The delay in the project occurred when it was decided to accommodate the construction of metro station pillars for the proposed metro route from Khadakwasla to Hadapsar via Swargate. The foundation for the pillars at Manik Baug and Hingane Khurd has already been completed, which added an additional Rs 27 crore to the project cost, as stated by officials.

The project had sparked controversy, as it lies on the planned route for the Pune Metro. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who laid the foundation stone for the project three years ago, had suggested exploring the possibility of a two-storey bridge, with the Metro on the top and a vehicle bridge on the first floor, similar to structures in Karve Road and Nagpur. Metro work is expected to begin once the flyover is completed, pending approval from the state government.

News source: The Indian Express