Pimpri-Chinchwad is on the cusp of a substantial enhancement to its urban infrastructure as the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) join forces to upgrade and widen the service roads running alongside National Highway 48 within the city’s limits.
A high-level review meeting, chaired by PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh and attended by senior officials from both agencies, was recently convened to expedite this crucial project aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and improving overall traffic flow within the bustling industrial hub.
Currently, the service roads flanking NH-48 in Pimpri-Chinchwad are 12 metres wide. The approved plan entails a significant expansion, doubling their width to 24 metres. This strategic widening is projected to considerably decongest the main highway carriageway, which experiences heavy traffic volumes daily, and facilitate smoother and more efficient traffic movement throughout the city, benefiting both commuters and logistics operations. The detailed blueprint for this vital infrastructure upgrade has been meticulously prepared by NHAI, which will also be responsible for executing the construction work.
During the review meeting, Commissioner Shekhar Singh issued clear directives to concerned officials, underscoring the imperative for the timely removal of all encroachments that could impede the progress of the roadwork. This includes hoardings, unauthorised stalls, and any other obstructions along the designated corridors. Furthermore, Commissioner Singh stressed the critical need for future-oriented underground utility planning. This proactive approach involves meticulously planning and laying infrastructure for essential services such as sewerage, water pipelines, drainage systems, and electricity lines concurrently with the road widening project. This integrated planning is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of the upgraded road infrastructure, preventing disruptive digging and maintenance work in the future.
“The work must be executed in a time-bound manner with full coordination between all relevant departments,” Commissioner Singh emphatically instructed. He specifically highlighted the need for seamless collaboration between the encroachment removal teams, drainage department, water supply division, licensing authorities, electricity board, and regional offices. He further underscored the importance of extending unwavering support to NHAI to ensure the timely and efficient completion of this strategically important project, recognising the pivotal role of inter-agency cooperation in successful infrastructure development.
Echoing this sentiment, PCMC Additional Commissioner Pradip Jambhale Patil stated, “Once the service roads are widened, traffic congestion on the highway is expected to reduce significantly. These service lanes will help ease pressure on the main carriageway and improve the overall traffic management in the city.” The widening of these service roads will provide dedicated lanes for local traffic, allowing for smoother flow of long-distance vehicles on the main highway and enhancing safety and efficiency for all road users within the Pimpri-Chinchwad metropolitan area. This infrastructure upgrade represents a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and efficient urban transportation network, catering to the growing needs of the city and its residents.
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