The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has officially sanctioned a significant project valued at ₹9.16 crore aimed at mitigating the hazardous steep slope at Gangadham Chowk. This notorious junction has tragically become synonymous with a high incidence of fatal accidents in recent years, prompting urgent civic action. The approval, granted during a recent Standing Committee meeting, signals a firm commitment to transforming a dangerous stretch of road into a safer, more predictable thoroughfare for all commuters, aligning with the city’s vision for zero net carbon and equitable urban environments.
The road segment leading from Aai Mata Mandir towards Gangadham Chowk presents a particularly perilous descent, especially challenging for heavy vehicles. Drivers frequently struggle to maintain control on this gradient, leading to a disproportionate number of collisions. The tragic loss of a life just two months prior, involving a speeding truck at this very spot, served as a stark reminder of the dire need for immediate and comprehensive engineering solutions. Persistent appeals from local residents, deeply concerned by the escalating accident rates, have finally spurred the administration into decisive action, prioritising human safety above all.
While initial attempts to address this critical issue faced political hurdles, leading to the abrupt halt of a tender process, the recent fatality served as an undeniable catalyst for renewed focus. The PMC has now unequivocally prioritised this vital roadwork project, ensuring that all necessary approvals and meticulous planning proceed without any further undue delay. This demonstrates a heightened responsiveness to public grievances and a resolve to implement infrastructure improvements that directly impact citizen well-being and contribute to a more sustainable urban mobility paradigm.
The project plans detail a substantial reduction in the road’s current gradient, which stands at approximately 12.30 meters. The ambitious new design aims to decrease this slope by roughly 2.5 meters. To achieve this crucial alteration, an extensive excavation of approximately 500 meters of the 600-meter stretch will be undertaken. Such a major civil engineering feat necessitates the careful relocation or reinstallation of existing utility lines, including critical water supply pipes, sewage systems, and storm water drains, ensuring uninterrupted civic services during and after the construction phase.
Furthermore, the project’s scope extends beyond the main carriageway to encompass the intricate network of eight to nine internal lanes that feed into the Aai Mata Mandir to Gangadham Chowk stretch. The road levelling efforts will be meticulously coordinated to ensure perfect alignment and seamless integration with these crucial side roads, thereby enhancing overall traffic flow and safety for local residents and pedestrians alike. According to Aniruddha Pawaskar, head of the PMC Road Department, the work is slated to commence immediately after the monsoon season concludes and is targeted for completion before the onset of the next monsoon, signifying a swift and efficient execution strategy aimed at bringing much-needed relief to a community long plagued by accident concerns. This proactive approach to urban infrastructure not only mitigates risks but also fosters a more equitable and safe environment for all urban dwellers, irrespective of their mode of transport.
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