Pune's Road Shortage: CM Fadnavis Addresses Concerns

Pune, known as one of India's fastest-growing cities, is currently grappling with a significant shortage of roads. According to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, only 9% of land in Pune is designated for roads, starkly contrasting with the 22% allocated in other major cities. This alarming statistic highlights the pressing need for infrastructure development in the city.

During a recent rally in Katraj, where the BJP is launching its municipal election campaign, Fadnavis addressed criticism from NCP chief Ajit Pawar regarding the local BJP leadership's effectiveness. He asserted that the BJP has made notable progress since taking power in Pune in 2017, and emphasized that the party is committed to resolving the city's civic issues.

Fadnavis pointed out the urgent need for traffic improvement, stating that Pune has the lowest number of roads compared to any other city in India. He expressed a desire to avoid political blame and instead focus on the BJP’s plans to enhance the city’s infrastructure.

To tackle the road shortage, the government is expanding the metro network and introducing more electric buses to improve public transport. Additionally, there is an ambitious plan to widen 32 roads using Artificial Intelligence for better assessment. The construction of eight flyovers is already underway, with 13 more planned to alleviate traffic congestion.

Fadnavis mentioned a groundbreaking project that includes creating underground roads and a proposed 54 km tunnel in Pune, which would cost approximately ₹32,000 crore. This initiative aims to begin from Katraj and significantly improve the city’s traffic flow.

Moreover, the under-construction outer ring road is expected to reduce traffic by 40%, with ₹55,000 crore allocated for this project, of which work on nine out of twelve phases has already commenced. With Pune's population projected to reach 6.5 million by next year, these developments are crucial for sustaining the city’s growth.

Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol echoed Fadnavis's sentiments, criticizing the NCP leaders for their past governance over Pune and questioning their lack of vision during their tenure. With these new initiatives, the BJP aims to transform Pune into a more accessible and well-connected city for its residents.