Pune: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has decided to demolish the flyovers in Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) junction in three phases within 30 days. In the first phase, the part of the flyover which ends at Chatuhshrungi and goes towards Pashan will be taken down. In the second phase, the Baner wing and in the third phase the Aundh wing of the flyover will be demolished.
While the demolition work goes in the area, PMRDA has planned for four alternative routes for vehicular traffic diversion to avoid traffic congestion. The actual demolition work will begin in the next eight to ten days.
PMRDA, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Traffic Police officials visited the project site on Wednesday. PMRDA Planner Vivek Kharvadkar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Nagnath Wakude, PMC's Dinkar Gojari, Corporator Aditya Malwe and local citizens were present during this visit.
The PMRDA has undertaken the Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Metro route project work. The existing flyovers on Ganeshkhind road at Pune University junction and infront of ESquare multiplex were proving to be an obstruction for this metro line. Thus PMRDA had proposed that the two flyovers be demolished and a two-tier flyover be constructed along the metro line. The total estimated cost of this project is Rs 274 crore.
The PMC has recently given its NOC to demolish the bridges as the ownership is with the PMC. However, the PMC has made it clear in its NOC that PMRDA will bear all the expense of demolishing the two bridges, removing all the debris, repair works on the road and construction of the new two-tier flyover and metro line at the site.
After receiving the NOC, PMRDA has written to Tata-Siemens company to whom the project has been awarded. PMRDA and traffic police officials have assured citizens that during the demolition work of the bridges, traffic inconvenience will be minimized. Police have appealed to citizens to use alternate routes to avoid congestions at the university junction and nearby areas.
Edited by Akshay Badwe
