Centre to take up Pune Ring Road project if state govt acquires land

Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the media that the government is ready to take over the Pune Ring Road project if the Maharashtra government takes the responsibility for land acquisition. Gadkari visited Pune on Friday to lay the foundation for two major flyover projects: Pune-Satara Road and Sinhagad Road. The events were also attended by Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister. Gadkari said that the ministry has completed ring road projects in Hyderabad and Bengaluru and that the Pune Ring Road project could be taken over if the Maharashtra government agrees. In response to the dangers of pollution, Gadkari informed that the ministry will soon issue a notice requiring all vehicle manufacturers to provide vehicles with flex engines that can run on multiple fuels. Gadkari added that the move will save drivers money because biofuels like ethanol are less expensive than gasoline and diesel. On current infrastructure projects in Pune, Gadkari expressed his delight that three major projects in which he has a personal interest – the Pune Metro, the expansion of Lohegaon airport, and the Mula-Mutha river rejuvenation project – have taken off and are progressing rapidly. According to the minister, the ministry is also in charge of another important project that will benefit Pune and Mumbai: the green highway, which is being built to link cities in north India with destinations in the south. Surat-Nashik-Ahmednagar-Solapur-Akkalgot-Gulbarga-Kurnool will connect the north and south India via this highway, which will bypass Pune and Mumbai. It will be 1,270 km long, with 500 km passing through Maharashtra. Gadkari also said that the ministry could build flyovers in Pune City if local authorities provide the necessary land. Pune MP Girish Bapat, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, Kothrud MLA and BJP state chief Chandrakant Patil, and Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol were among those who attended both events. Image SourceAlso read: MSRDC starts land survey of eastern half of Pune ring road Also read: Maha govt allots Rs 26,831 cr for Pune outer ring road project