NHAI plans underpasses at Uruli Kanchan, Loni & Theur Phata

The towns of Uruli Kanchan, Loni and Theur Phata have grown in population density with large-scale real estate projects coming up there

As the traffic situation on the Pune-Solapur highway is becoming grim with frequent road crossings at Uruli Kanchan, Loni and Theur Phata leading to accidents, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has approved three new underpasses at these locations to segregate local traffic from highway traffic. There are plans to begin work at these three locations very soon, NHAI officials said.

Local police have to be often deployed as highway traffic gets blocked for hours on end. (HT PHOTO)

The towns of Uruli Kanchan, Loni and Theur Phata have grown in population density with large-scale real estate projects coming up there. “Actually, we had demanded an elevated corridor from Hadapsar to Uruli Kanchan but that will take time. In the meantime, union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari has instructed that underpasses be erected for smooth flow of traffic and to avoid accidents,” said Shirur MP Amol Kolhe.

“These towns are part of my Shirur Lok Sabha (LS) constituency. As instructed by the union minister, the NHAI has approved three underpasses at Uruli Kanchan, Loni and Theur Phata. The letter has been received for the same,” Kolhe said.

While the NHAI has installed signals at Uruli Kanchan, Loni and Theur Phata on the Pune-Solapur highway, local police have to be often deployed as highway traffic gets blocked for hours on end. Travel time on the highway also increases due to crossings at these three locations, especially during peak hours.

“These underpasses will make for smooth highway traffic and will ensure the safety of local citizens. Many school kids and youths cross these junctions and many a times, there are big accidents. Once the underpasses are ready, they will help bring down the number of accidents and enhance citizens’ safety. We are hoping that the work on ground will start very soon,” Kolhe said.

In addition to these three underpasses, local citizens have also demanded that an underpass be built at Khodad on the Pune-Nashik highway where giant telescopes have been installed. “As scientists and local traffic from Narayangaon converges at Khodad junction, it has become accident-prone. The NHAI paid heed to our demand and approved an underpass at Khodad. It will help the scientific community as well as local citizens cross the highway safely,” Kolhe said.