Pune: Motorists enduring the persistent traffic congestion on Sinhagad Road due to the ongoing construction of two flyovers can soon expect a respite. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is on the verge of opening one of these flyovers, which will facilitate smoother vehicle movement from Vitthalwadi towards Swargate, significantly cutting down travel time and easing the bottleneck at Rajaram Bridge Chowk by crossing it overhead.
According to PMC officials, the majority of the civil work on this flyover is complete. “The remaining work is expected to be finished by mid-July, after which the flyover will be open for vehicular traffic,” stated an official from the civic body. However, residents are urging the PMC to expedite the construction of the second, larger flyover that connects Vitthalwadi with Wadgaon Budruk. “The ongoing flyover work at Rajaram Bridge is relatively smaller,” noted a resident from the Wadgaon Budruk area. “The larger flyover’s construction is occupying significant road space, causing severe traffic slowdowns.” Another commuter echoed these concerns, highlighting the daily challenges faced by schoolchildren due to the traffic snarls. “Travel has become extremely challenging on Sinhagad Road. The PMC should prioritise completing the work,” the commuter stated.
Despite these appeals, civic officials indicated that the completion of the second flyover is unlikely before December 2024. “Approximately 70% of the work is finished, and we aim to complete it by December. We are also accommodating provisions for metro pillars, as an elevated line has been proposed along this route,” an official explained. In an effort to clear encroachments along the stretch, PMC, in collaboration with local police, plans to conduct a drive soon. Additionally, officials noted that a power supply feeder was recently relocated to the Hingne area to create more space for vehicles. The opening of the Vitthalwadi flyover is anticipated to provide significant relief to daily commuters, who have long been plagued by traffic congestion on Sinhagad Road. The civic administration’s efforts to expedite infrastructure development and improve traffic flow are critical to addressing the transportation challenges faced by Pune’s residents.
