PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will soon start work on a 200m alternative route between the airport and Vimannagar, following a MoU signed with the Indian Air Force station, Pune, recently.
The PMC has got 2,350sqft of defence land for the project. The alternative route would be a huge relief to regulars and air travellers commuting to and from the Pune airport.
PMC road department head VG Kulkarni said the tender process has been completed and the project allocated.
“The actual work will begin on the site soon. As per terms and conditions of the working permission from the ministry of defence, we will have to construct a perimeter wall along the entire route for security purposes,” he added.
It may be noted that traffic congestion is a significant problem in the area. Citizens and air travellers often complain of long and agonising travel to their destinations. They said the alternative road was necessary for the airport that is being expanded.
On September 19, 2022, the defence ministry had issued a sanction letter permitting the PMC to work on connecting the proposed 20m-wide road to Vimannagar on its 0.58 acre of land. The permission was granted at a nominal annual licence fee of Re1 per sqm, which comes to Rs2,350 per annum, said PMC officials.
A senior personnel from the defence estates office of Pune region, said, “The civic body will have to adhere to terms and conditions of the working permission. They will have to relocate static infrastructure such as communication cables and water lines, among others, before initiating the work on site.”
Additional commissioner of PMC Vikas Dhakne told TOI, “We have discussed all aspects related to the work in a meeting held before the signing of the memorandum of understanding. We will fulfil the air force station’s terms and conditions and initiate the work at the earliest.”
Meanwhile, Vimannagar citizens said the authorities should complete the work as traffic congestion on the existing route was a nightmare.
Arvind Gore, an activist from the area, said, “The existing road leading to the airport, Lohegaon, Vishrantwadi and Dhanori cannot accommodate the daily traffic. It is horrendous in the evening hours due to air passengers adding to the volume.”
Resident Shabbir Shaikh said, “Citizens have been at the receiving end due to the traffic congestion for the last few years. The new road will enhance connectivity and ease traffic leading to the airport. The civic authorities should complete the work at the earliest.”
The PMC has got 2,350sqft of defence land for the project. The alternative route would be a huge relief to regulars and air travellers commuting to and from the Pune airport.
PMC road department head VG Kulkarni said the tender process has been completed and the project allocated.
“The actual work will begin on the site soon. As per terms and conditions of the working permission from the ministry of defence, we will have to construct a perimeter wall along the entire route for security purposes,” he added.
It may be noted that traffic congestion is a significant problem in the area. Citizens and air travellers often complain of long and agonising travel to their destinations. They said the alternative road was necessary for the airport that is being expanded.
On September 19, 2022, the defence ministry had issued a sanction letter permitting the PMC to work on connecting the proposed 20m-wide road to Vimannagar on its 0.58 acre of land. The permission was granted at a nominal annual licence fee of Re1 per sqm, which comes to Rs2,350 per annum, said PMC officials.
A senior personnel from the defence estates office of Pune region, said, “The civic body will have to adhere to terms and conditions of the working permission. They will have to relocate static infrastructure such as communication cables and water lines, among others, before initiating the work on site.”
Additional commissioner of PMC Vikas Dhakne told TOI, “We have discussed all aspects related to the work in a meeting held before the signing of the memorandum of understanding. We will fulfil the air force station’s terms and conditions and initiate the work at the earliest.”
Meanwhile, Vimannagar citizens said the authorities should complete the work as traffic congestion on the existing route was a nightmare.
Arvind Gore, an activist from the area, said, “The existing road leading to the airport, Lohegaon, Vishrantwadi and Dhanori cannot accommodate the daily traffic. It is horrendous in the evening hours due to air passengers adding to the volume.”
Resident Shabbir Shaikh said, “Citizens have been at the receiving end due to the traffic congestion for the last few years. The new road will enhance connectivity and ease traffic leading to the airport. The civic authorities should complete the work at the earliest.”
