BJP Maha chief suggests temporary measures to ease traffic at Chandani chowk

PUNE: To provide temporary relief from the traffic congestion at Chandani chowk, it has been decided to increase the number of traffic wardens by 25, clear potholes, push barricades behind, and generally create more space for vehicles

PUNE: To provide temporary relief from the traffic congestion at Chandani chowk, it has been decided to increase the number of traffic wardens by 25, clear potholes, push barricades behind, and generally create more space for vehicles.

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BJP Maharashtra unit president and Kothrud MLA Chandrakant Patil on Friday visited Chandani chowk and reviewed the ongoing multilevel flyover work and consequent traffic snarls in the area.

“As the work is in progress, there are some problems but once it is completed, the flow of traffic will be very smooth. Going by the contractor’s estimate, the work will take another six months for completion,” Patil said.

“It is one of the important projects in the city. With highway traffic and city traffic merging here, it creates more chaos. There are many accidents too. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has funded the project thus decreasing the financial burden of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The project has been delayed mainly due to the land acquisition issue,” he said.

After inspecting the site, Patil instructed that the potholes be cleared during night hours by keeping one lane closed. Accordingly, these craters are expected to be cleared within the next week. PMC officials and traffic police were among the authorities present during the site visit.

According to PMC officials, some landowners moved court making it difficult to acquire land for the project. Still, the project hasn’t ground to a halt and nearly 90% of the land is in possession with the remaining 10% to be acquired soon. Some officials who did not wish to be named said that traffic speeds have dropped considerably owing to the rainy season, which is causing problems with potholes and even mud appearing in places along the route.

Suggestions for improving the traffic situation at Chandani chowk:

Increasing the number of traffic wardens to streamline traffic

Channelising properly the vehicles coming from Bavdhan

Clearing potholes during night hours

Pushing the barricades behind to make more space for vehicles

Speaking with landowners who went to court and helping get the land sooner for the flyover project