Pune double decker flyover at University Chowk opens August 20
PUNE: The city is poised to take a significant step towards addressing chronic traffic congestion with the inauguration of the double-decker flyover at Savitribai Phule Pune University Chowk. The new structure, which will be opened for commuters on August 20, has been designed to streamline movement across one of Pune’s busiest intersections and reduce long-standing bottlenecks. Officials confirmed that the project has been delivered as part of a larger plan to create efficient and sustainable urban mobility.
The ₹277-crore flyover project integrates modern design elements aimed at easing congestion on Ganeshkhind Road while ensuring smoother connectivity between Aundh and Shivajinagar. A 1.7-km stretch has been constructed, with the Aundh-to-Shivajinagar carriageway scheduled to open first. Additional ramps linking Baner and Pashan are expected to be operational by October 2025, further expanding the project’s utility.
Authorities emphasised that the double-decker structure was conceptualised after years of traffic pressure at University Chowk and surrounding stretches. The earlier single-lane flyovers were dismantled in 2020 to make way for the new facility, with work formally commencing in 2022 following approvals from multiple civic and metropolitan bodies. A key feature of the project is a 55-metre-long steel girder installed at the chowk, ensuring seamless passage of vehicles while allowing space for the ongoing metro construction.The development comes in tandem with progress on Metro Line-3, the 23.2-km elevated corridor linking Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar. At University Chowk, an integrated metro station is under construction, which will connect Aundh, Baner, and Pashan via a dedicated footbridge. Experts note that the dual presence of the metro and the flyover is expected to create a multi-modal transport hub that balances road and rail transit, providing commuters with greater choice and flexibility.
Urban planners have highlighted the project’s role in building sustainable infrastructure for Pune’s future. By redistributing traffic loads and integrating public transport systems, the flyover is expected to reduce vehicular idling and emissions in the long run, aligning with the city’s aspirations for eco-friendly growth. However, they caution that infrastructure alone cannot resolve traffic woes without parallel investment in public transit expansion and commuter behaviour shifts.With one phase of the project opening this week and full connectivity scheduled by October, Pune commuters are set to experience immediate relief on one of the city’s most congested corridors. While challenges of urban transport remain, the integrated flyover marks a significant milestone in reimagining mobility and planning for a sustainable, connected city.
