Pune traffic relief in sight as PMRDA fast-tracks railway overbridges

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Commuters across the Pune Metropolitan Region may soon experience smoother and faster travel, with the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) on Friday signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (MahaRail) to speed up the construction of railway overbridges and underpasses. The move is expected to reduce long traffic jams at railway crossings, save travel time and fuel, and improve road connectivity in several growing suburbs.

The agreement aims to ensure the speedy and quality construction of Railway Overbridges (ROBs) and Railway Underpasses (RUBs) within the PMRDA jurisdiction, helping address several long-pending traffic bottlenecks in the region.

Chief Minister and PMRDA Chairman Devendra Fadnavis took a special initiative to tackle the growing traffic congestion in the Pune Metropolitan Region and accelerate the process of making roads free from railway crossings. During earlier review meetings, he had directed that the construction of ROBs, Foot Overbridges (FOBs), and underpasses on railway routes should be executed through MahaRail, considering its technical expertise in railway infrastructure projects, rather than through multiple agencies, informed, PMRDA officials.

PMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Abhijit Chaudhari instructed officials to expedite the finalisation of the agreement draft.

The MoU is expected to play a key role in making several roads in the Pune Metropolitan Region free from railway crossings, thereby reducing long queues of vehicles at railway gates. The initiative is also expected to accelerate regional development while significantly reducing travel time and fuel consumption for commuters.