Pune: PMC starts 'origin-destination' survey of Paud Phata-Balbharati road

Amid queries and opposition from residents and activists, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday started an origin-destination survey to assess the need and feasibility of the proposed Paud Phata to Balbharati road. The survey which started on June 27 will go on till July 3, 2022 between Dadhichi Chowk on Senapati Bapat Road and Athavale chowk on Chiplunkar Road (Law College Road).
PMC building

Image Courtesy: PMC

Pune: Amid queries and opposition from residents and activists, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday started an origin-destination survey to assess the need and feasibility of the proposed Paud Phata to Balbharati road. The 2.1-kilometre-long stretch is to be constructed between Kelewadi junctions on Paud Road and till Balbharati office on Senapati Bapat road.
The survey which started on June 27 will go on till July 3 between Dadhichi Chowk on Senapati Bapat Road and Athavale chowk on Chiplunkar Road (Law College Road). According to the civic body, this survey is to determine the traffic on this road and how many people use it on a regular basis to determine the efficiency of this proposed ring road.
The citizens will be able to participate in the survey and give their feedback online by filling out a questionnaire which consists of a few questions like what kind of vehicle commuters use, their willingness to use the newly proposed Balbharati to Paud Phata road, and the frequency of using the existing Law College Road and Senapati Bapat road.
“The civic administration has provided citizens with the option to send suggestions and objections to it about the project through the online mode (http://bit.ly/balbharti2poudfata). The groundwork of the project will start only after the survey,” said V G Kulkarni, head of the PMC’s Road department, as reported by the Times of India.
However, the residents feel that this survey will neither benefit them nor the traffic. Activists also allege that there are several drawbacks to this survey and the online questionnaire.
Activists believe that the PMC survey does not support its claims of reducing congestion on Law College Road. Harshad Abhyankar of Save Pune Traffic group said the civic body has not clarified how the proposed road will reduce congestion on Law College Road. He further added that the only way to resolve the traffic mess is to increase public transport, and not make such roads
Nature lovers and environmentalists are against the project because they believe it will cause a lot of damage to the local flora and fauna. The proposed road has been planned to pass through the hills that enshrine some rich biodiversity and is used by many residents for their morning and evening walks.
The PMC first proposes the Balbharati-Paud link road 35 years ago in 1987, to help reduce the traffic congestion on Law college road. The body has also made provision for it in its 2022-2023 budget.
The PMC has also appointed a project management consultant to supervise the groundwork and overall execution of the proposed project.
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