Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified efforts to resolve the persistent issue of traffic congestion on the Katraj-Kondhwa road by expediting its long-pending widening project.

Seven landowners have submitted proposals and the PMC has prioritized acquiring these parcels after verification.

The road, known for its daily traffic jams during peak hours, has been a source of distress for commuters and residents for several years.

The road widening, which had faced delays due to land acquisition challenges, is now gaining momentum. A key component of the project is the construction of a flyover.

To facilitate this, the corporation is focusing on acquiring 280 meters of land. Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale recently met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to discuss the project.

Minister Gadkari assured full support for road construction once the land acquisition process is completed.

The Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project was approved in October 2018 but has faced delays due to pending land acquisitions. Despite these challenges, road widening between Rajas Society and Khadi Machine Chowk began last year, with work progressing in phases.

The municipal corporation plans to use a single-window system to streamline the land acquisition process further. In addition, grade separators and other upgrades are being implemented on specific sections of the road to improve traffic flow.

Municipal officials remain optimistic about resolving the road's congestion issues in the coming months with the cooperation of landowners and support from central authorities.