Pune: Like the city areas, there is danger that the problem of traffic congestion will repeat itself in suburban areas as the State government has not given approval to widen roads in 23 merged villages in 1997. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has submitted a letter to the Urban Development Department (UDD) to allow the civic body to widen existing roads having a width of 12 metres and above in suburban areas taking into view increasing population in this area.
In 1997, the State government took the decision to merge 23 fringe villages in PMC limits. The PMC made a Development Plan (DP), excluding Bio-Diversity Plan (BDP) zone, for these villages and submitted to the State government in 2012.
Rajendra Raut, Superintendent Engineer of Development Plan (DP) cell said, “We demanded permission to widen the road by three metres from both side of roads to accommodate the pedestrians. Out of 496 kilometres, we have developed around 50 per cent. But we are unable to widen roads by three metres from both sides as we are awaiting permission from the State government.” According to PMC officials, the chief minister had given directives to UDD to give permission to road widening in one of the meetings. According to that, the PMC submitted a proposal to UDD in 2013.
