Pimpri: The ongoing work of Pune metro rail project has created a chaotic traffic situation in Pimpri-Chinchwad, as the authorities have diverted traffic to service lanes on the old Mumbai-Pune Road. As heavy vehicles are plying on the service road, the condition of the service road has deteriorated. The authorities are passing on the responsibility of repairing the road to each other.
The work of metro rail corridor connecting Pimpri and Swargate is going on, on old Mumbai-Pune Road. One side of the fast lane has been closed and all heavy vehicles have been diverted to the service lane. Due to heavy traffic, commuters are experiencing traffic jams on the route like never before. Due to constant traffic of heavy vehicles, the condition of the service road has deteriorated.
When asked about the issue, Deputy Engineer of Mahametro Bapu Gaikwad said, “Since this road belongs to Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, it must undertake the repair work of the road. In case PCMC is unable to do the work, then Mahametro will undertake repair work. We have asked PCMC to carry out repair work and are waiting for their response.”
So far, the PCMC has not come forward to undertake the repair work. When asked about the condition of the road, spokesperson of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) Vijay Bhojane said, “It is the responsibility of Mahametro to carry out the repair work of the concrete lane in the middle of the road. If required, PCMC will undertake work on the service road.”
Since both the agencies are not giving any concrete assurance about the repair work of the road, the commuters travelling on that stretch are likely to suffer more.
According to officials in Pimpri-Chinchwad, work on 44 pillars for metro has begun, out of which, 9 pillars are nearing completion. The first segment of the metro project will be completed by the end of December this year.
Only 48 people visit Metro project information centre
Mahametro has opened an information centre for citizens near Vallabhnagar ST stand. But so far, only 48 people have visited this centre. Of these, most of the visitors came to the office seeking jobs. Four people will be available to answer queries about the metro project from 7 am to 9 pm. Information about metro stations, metro routes and benefits of the metro to citizens will be made available at the centre through audio-visual medium and booklets. Citizens can avail information about the metro project on toll-free number 18002705501.
