PUNE: Officials of the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) have started development of roads, which will help in decongesting several parts of the region. The development work was kicked off by Pune District Guardian Minister Girish Bapat on Saturday.

PMRDA officials said they have started the work of Biradvadi-Aambethan-Mahalunge Ingle road which is 7 km and will help residents of three nearby villages. Once developed, the road will help reduce traffic congestion on roads heading towards Chakan. 

PMRDA Chief Kiran Gitte said a budget of Rs 10 crore has been approved for the project. The road will be 7 m wide. Officials have started road work from Sangvi-Jambhul, Somatane-Talegaon and Kothurne-Malvandi, all in Maval taluka. PMRDA officials said the development of these roads will help save time and fuel. “Earlier, people had to take a 8 km route from Somatane to Talegaon and now the route is cut to 2 km. Once the road is developed, the connectivity in the area will increase,” added Gitte.

About the sharing of revenue between gram panchayats and PMRDA, Gitte said for right development of PMR, the gram panchayats and PMRDA will have to work hand in hand and so there should be no conflict on revenue sharing between the two departments. “PMRDA is working on water management, waste management, road construction work, ring road and several other initiatives which will change the structure of Pune rural area. The road development will start only after allocating TDR and FSI to people,” added Gitte.