Overbridge, underbridge to ease traffic snarls in Hadapsar, Balewadi

Finally, Punekars can expect some respite from the traffic at the railway crossing of Sasanenagar, Hadapsar Road. The Standing Committee of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has a given green signal to the long-awaited underbridge at the location.u00a0

Along with that, a bridge over the Mula River connecting Balwadi and Nashik Phata was also approved yesterday. Both contracts have been bagged by T&T Group.

"The total length of the underpass road will be 620 metres in which 56 metres will be under the railway track," said Vishal Tambe, chairman, Standing Committee.

"The estimated cost of the project is Rs 37 crore. The underpass road includes a total of four lanes and two footpaths and will take around 30 months to construct. It will help reduce traffic congestion in the area," he said.

In last month, Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India (RPI) staged a demonstration at the railway crossing and accused authorities concerned of changing the plan of the bridge. The authorities had initially planned to construct an over bridge, but later decided to go for an underground one.

"There was a demand for a Railway Over Bridge (ROB), but an underpass bridge was proposed to reduce cost after discussions with the railway authorities. Railway officials have visited the site and given approval for the under bridge. The service road will be constructed during the work on the under pass," Tambe added.

Along with that, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporations are collectively going to construct a 237-metre-long bridge at Balewadi, survey number 46-47.

It will be a six-lane bridge that will be 30 metres in width. The cost of the project is Rs 31 crore and it will be shared by PMC and PCMC. This bridge will help to connect Balawadi and Nashik Phata.u00a0