3 days Ago By Joy Sengupta
Pune: One side of the new concrete road between SM Ghule Patil Chowk and Raheja Circle has been opened for public by PMC, providing a big relief to commuters and residents of NIBM Annexe Road and adjoining areas. Gautam Gavand, a junior engineer with the road department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), told TOI that the work had been expedited following continuous follow-ups from residents. "We had assured the residents that one part of the road would be ready in September, and we have done so, and opened it.
Work on the other half of the road has been started, and we aim to complete it by the end of October," the official said. Jaymala Dhankikar, a social worker and a resident of Ganga Kingston housing society, said that she was continuously following up on the progress with respective authorities. "It is good that one part of the road has been completed.
It is a big relief for commuters considering the worse situation we had to go through in the past few months. However, a lot of work is still left to be done. The new road stretch doesn't have any footpath.
Also, there is no streetlight in the area. The authorities have assured us that all works will be completed, and we are continuously in touch with them," he said. Pramod Sharma, a resident of Raheja Vistas housing society, said that the approach roads, which lead to the new stretch, need to be made properly.
"Also, traffic from three sides of the area from Raheja Circle converges into the road. PMC needs to install dividers, otherwise there are chances of accidents. The Raheja Circle is in bad shape and needs care.
Illegal parking happens in front of Tribeca High Street Mall in the evening, especially during weekends. Although now we see cops coming often and taking action against those parking illegally, it has to be more frequent," the resident said. Pooja K, who lives in Imperial Towers housing society, said that the main issue was the absence of footpaths.
"Why didn't the PMC build a footpath on the new road? The same can be said about the road of the slope connecting the area with the NIBM Road. Where will pedestrians walk in the absence of a footpath?" she asked. Dhankikar said checks would be carried out once the other half of the road is ready.
"As per the plan, the total width of the road should be 24 metres, and we will check the same in addition to checking the quality of work done. We have talked to PMC about footpaths and encroachment, and they have assured us that footpaths will come up. Also, work on improving the condition of patches, which lead to the new road, will start soon.
All these have been happening as local residents have become more vigilant," she said..
