PMRDA to spend Rs 3,000cr to build road network linking major highways in Pune city
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Officials said the network would offer direct connectivity between Satara Road, Ahilyanagar Road, Solapur highway, Nashik highway, and the Pune-Mumbai highway, while improving road access to peripheral villages and emerging townships.
PMRDA commissioner Yogesh Mhase told TOI that the project aims to have proper roads connecting to all highways in the district. "We have zeroed in on all the roads that connect to the highways.
We will undertake the repairs phase-wise," he said.
Officials of the development authority said construction or repair works are undertaken at various spots along different segments.
"Link roads connecting major highways are being prioritised. We have approved work in 20 to 25 villages," a senior PMRDA official said.
Most of the new roads will be constructed using cement concrete to improve durability, the official said.
"Each road will be equipped with stormwater drainage lines and underground utility ducts to prevent future digging and ensure smooth movement during the monsoon," the official said.
"Widths have been finalised keeping future traffic volumes in mind. Utility shifting and technical surveys are being conducted simultaneously to avoid delays," the official added.
The first phase of the project includes strengthening existing roads that are already part of PMRDA's regional development plan.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The work is being executed through multiple packages, with land acquisition being fast-tracked.
Officials said the internal grid of roads would function as alternate routes for traffic that crowd the city's arterial roads and highways. Once completed, the network is expected to cut travel time for daily commuters and heavy vehicles entering and exiting Pune.
"The aim is to reduce pressure on primary corridors by creating seamless links between them.
This will also help people living in peripheral areas travel more efficiently," the official said.
Inner ring road alignment to be examined by experts
PMRDA is reviewing a request by MP Supriya Sule to shift the alignment of the proposed inner ring road by around 200m in certain locations to avoid affecting residential areas in villages.
"A final decision will be taken after technical experts examine the proposal," a senior PMRDA official said.
Sule raised the issue during a meeting with the PMRDA commissioner earlier this month stating that it would affect the villagers in the area. She said while she was not against the project, a slight re-alignment would help save the houses of the villagers in Haveli taluka.
The Rs14,200-crore inner ring road project spans 83.1km and is designed to provide circular connectivity between major hubs, including Lohegaon airport, Hinjewadi IT Park and Chakan MIDC.
The authority already submitted a request to the Pune district collector's office last week to speed up land acquisition for the inner ring road.
The ring road is expected to divert heavy traffic away from the city's core areas and support future infrastructure needs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Builders seek hassle-free access to M Sand after state govt finalises SOP for policy
1 2 Pune: Builders have urged state govt to ensure smooth access, availability, and transportation of manufactured sand (M Sand) after the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the M Sand policy was finalised last week. The move, announced by revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on July 29, aims to eliminate river sand mining across the state. While developers welcomed the policy, they said its success hinges on quick permissions, reliable supply chains, and improved infrastructure, especially in rural areas. "If M Sand is made easily accessible even in remote regions, reliance on river sand will naturally decline," a developer told TOI, choosing anonymity. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Members of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (Credai) told TOI that transporting M Sand continues to pose challenges due to traffic restrictions and logistical hurdles that need to be addressed after the SOP. They further recommended that the state maintain a verified list of approved manufacturers so that builders can source M Sand from nearby locations more efficiently. "Govt must ensure that M Sand is available across all regions, including rural belts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It's Genius for Learning Languages [See Why] Talkpal AI Undo A list of verified suppliers and simplified transport norms will reduce costs and delays," a Credai core committee member told TOI. The committee also suggested deploying mobile testing labs and training centres for contractors in remote areas to ensure quality and promote awareness. Credai Pune president Manish Jain said the construction sector is committed to using sustainable alternatives like M Sand — a type of fine aggregate produced by crushing hard rocks such as granite. "M Sand is a robust and eco-friendly substitute for river sand. Due to its controlled manufacturing process, it offers consistent grain size and quality, making it ideal for concrete and plastering," Jain said. Builder Kapil Gandhi noted that M Sand is produced using advanced technology in a controlled environment. "River sand hasn't been used in urban areas for decades. M Sand is sent to labs for testing, and each project receives a specific mix-design report based on raw material, water quality, and local conditions. Earlier issues with plaster quality were resolved through research and development. The final product is engineered to meet high standards," he explained. Bharat Agarwal, president of the National Real Estate Development Council (Naredco), supported the ban on river sand mining, citing the damage it causes to riverbeds and aquatic ecosystems. "M Sand is a sustainable and widely accepted alternative. We urge govt to grant more licenses for M Sand units, especially as real estate activity across Maharashtra is surging," he said. Agarwal also recommended simplifying royalty payments and expediting environmental clearances for mining. "Approvals should be routed through an automatic system to avoid bottlenecks," he said. According to a govt resolution (GR) issued by the revenue department in May this year, public and private land parcels suitable for M Sand units will be listed for auction on the 'Mahakhanij' portal, stated officials. Applicants must submit a registered undertaking, along with approvals such as the Pollution Control Board's 'Consent to Establish' and a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the local planning authority. Developers said the SOP is a strong policy initiative but called for swift on-ground execution, easier logistics, and region-wide availability to ensure a smooth transition from river sand to M Sand. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE M-SAND SOP > M Sand is manufactured by crushing hard stone into sand-sized particles > Existing quarry leaseholders can apply through the Mahakhanij portal for M Sand production > The first 50 projects in each district are eligible for concessions from the revenue and industries departments > Unit holders must apply separately for concessions and establish units within six months > 'Consent to Operate' from the Pollution Control Board is mandatory before production begins > A secondary transport permit is required for M Sand sale and transport > Deputy collector to serve as nodal officer for implementation
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Auto unions threaten to halt services to Heerapura terminal over fare hike delay
Jaipur: Auto rickshaw unions have threatened to stop services to the Heerapura Bus Terminal if their demand for a fare hike is not met. In a letter to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and deputy chief minister Prem Chand Bairwa, the unions warned that they would cease operations to the terminal unless the government approves the long-pending revision of fares. Speaking to TOI, Puneet Singh Issar, president of a city auto union, said, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) had been working on revising fares since early 2025 after 12 years. "Unfortunately, they slowed down the process suddenly. We were told it is still underway, but no time frame was given for announcing the hike," Issar said. Auto drivers said that it becomes very difficult to get a passenger from places like Bhankrota. Until and unless there is a hike in fare, it would be difficult for us to drop passengers at the Heerapura terminal. "The app-based services also offer very low fares, and most passengers prefer them as they can board an auto directly from their pick-up location. Many of us are also accepting passengers through these apps. Once the government increases the fare, we will switch back to operating on meters," said Kishan Lal Jangid, an auto driver. As per the draft fare proposal, the fare for the first kilometre is likely to increase from Rs15 to Rs30, while the rate for each subsequent kilometre may go up from Rs 9 to Rs 14. The new structure also proposes a 25% hike in night charges, a luggage fee of Rs10 per piece, and a waiting charge of Rs40. "For instance, the distance from Sindhi Camp to Heerapura is around 11 km, which means the fare would be at least Rs170 under the proposed rates. The RTO is considering implementing this substantial hike in one go," said a transport official.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Sub-registrar office under I-T lens for failing to report deals worth Rs1k cr
Nagpur: An ongoing probe of the Income Tax (I-T) Department points out that the sub-registrar office (SRO) at Hingna submitted incomplete information in the statement of financial transactions (SFT) due to which real estate transactions worth close to Rs1,000 crore have skipped the taxman's eye. Data related to last five years is being examined. A slew of agencies like banks, mutual fund houses, jewellers and stock market intermediaries have to file SFT every year. High-value transactions, depending on the limit fixed for each asset, have to be reported to the I-T department through SFT so that they get reflected in the department's system too. On the basis of the data, gains out of high-value deals can be included in the tax returns, said sources. The SROs across the country have to mention details of any property worth Rs30 lakh registered under their respective jurisdiction under the SFT. A new system put in place since the financial year 2024-25 enables the SROs to get the entire data on registrations for property sales worth Rs30 lakh and above at a click of the mouse. It is suspected the SRO under the scanner did not use the system. Rather, details of the transactions were manually noted down. A large number of transactions worth close to Rs1,000 crore found in the SRO's computer systems were not reported, said sources privy to the development. "For example, if a person sold a plot of land for Rs1 crore, there is a chance that the gains may not be reported in the tax returns. However, one cannot escape because the I-T department too gets its data parallelly through SFT," said a source. A random analysis of data by the taxmen showed that something was amiss. The volume of property deeds registered went up considerably, but in terms of monetary value, it nearly halved in a given year. A physical scrutiny of the data revealed a gross mismatch, a source said. REPORTING RULE IGNORED ON A LARGE-SCALE Lack of reporting under SFT has been a major cause of concern for the I-T department. There are limits set for various financial transactions which need to be reported. For example, a cash purchase of jewellery worth Rs 2 lakh needs to be reported. However, there are reports that a number of trading establishments have been ignoring such deals even as the I-T department has been carrying out outreach programmes, said a source. Chartered accountant and former president of Nagpur Chamber of Commerce Limited, Kailash Jogani said the financial entities need to become responsible and promptly report such transactions.
