Fadnavis said the state government would ensure that financial resources are made available wherever required to facilitate land acquisition for major infrastructure works
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured that the state government will provide the necessary funds for land acquisition required for key infrastructure projects, particularly those aimed at addressing traffic congestion in the rapidly expanding Pune-Pimpri Chinchwad region, reported news agency PTI.
The chief minister made the remarks in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during a discussion on worsening traffic congestion and the government’s efforts to improve connectivity through new road networks, metro corridors and ring road projects.
Government committed to funding land acquisition
Fadnavis said the state government would ensure that financial resources are made available wherever required to facilitate land acquisition for major infrastructure works, reported PTI.
“The state government will make available the funds needed for land acquisition. In some cases, the municipal corporations will also have to contribute, and we will coordinate to ensure the work moves forward,” he said, reported PTI.
He emphasised that smooth and timely acquisition of land is essential for completing major transport and connectivity projects designed to ease congestion in the fast-growing urban corridor around Pune.
Strategic planning underway for Pune-Pimpri Chinchwad region
During the discussion, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal informed the assembly that the state government is undertaking strategic planning to tackle traffic congestion in the Pune-Pimpri Chinchwad belt, reported PTI.
She said several infrastructure initiatives, including road widening, metro connectivity and ring road projects, are currently underway or in advanced stages of planning and implementation.
Misal also noted that improving connectivity in Pune’s rapidly growing IT and industrial belt remains a key priority for the government to prevent the infrastructure challenges faced by other major technology hubs, reported PTI.
New road connectivity projects planned across region
According to the minister, despite the cancellation of the earlier development plan of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the government has directed authorities to continue strategic infrastructure planning, reported PTI.
She said new road networks, including 18-metre and 24-metre wide roads, are being planned to strengthen connectivity across the metropolitan region.
Several works aimed at easing traffic congestion are already underway in areas such as Wakad, Tathawade and Punawale. The government is also developing road connectivity between Bhumkar Bridge and Navale Bridge to improve traffic movement.
Major transport projects progressing in region
Misal informed the assembly that a proposal worth around Rs 3,660 crore has been submitted for the Nere–Ravet bridge project, while the Nashik Phata to Khed eight-lane corridor has already received approval, reported PTI.
She added that metro expansion in the Pune metropolitan region has also made significant progress.
Metro corridors from PCMC to Phugewadi and from Phugewadi to District Court are nearing completion, with the overall work reaching around 98 per cent.
Smart traffic systems and ring road work underway
The minister said the government is also planning to introduce artificial intelligence-based smart traffic signal systems to improve traffic management in the Pune metropolitan region, reported PTI.
Land acquisition for several road stretches, including the Bhosari–Indrayani river corridor, has already reached around 69 to 70 per cent completion, with the remaining process expected to move forward once funds are allocated.
Misal added that work on multiple packages of the ring road project under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has already begun, while land acquisition for the inner ring road planned by PMRDA is currently underway, reported PTI.
She also assured the House that encroachments along major roads would be addressed and necessary directions would be issued to relevant authorities to help reduce congestion in the region.
(With inputs from PTI)
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