An integrated road infrastructure project at NDA Square in Pune was inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra — Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar on 12th August, 2023. The minister also dedicated Khed- Muncher bypass to the nation, at a program held in Pune.
With the inauguration of the much-awaited flyover and interchange project at NDA Chowk, which is considered as the gateway of West Pune, the traffic congestion in the city will be solved in a major way. The flyover bridge is 16.98 km long and the project cost was Rs 865 crore. Under the project, the interchange works of 2.2 km length of a total length of 16 km has been completed. Both sides of the Mumbai-Bangalore highway have two-lanes for internal and external services. A total of eight ramps have been developed for movement in eight directions from one interchange. This will boost the connectivity of the area to all the directions.
Addressing the gathering at the inaugural function, Shri Gadkari said that the Government’s motto is to build quality infrastructure at low cost on the basis of latest technology. He said that along with the infrastructure developments, all efforts should be taken to make Pune, which is a development centre of the country, an environment-friendly and pollution-free city. Shri Gadkari emphasised the contribution and importance of Pune city in the country's development. “Pune, where Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent his childhood, has a glorious historic legacy. A rich symbol of history, culture and heritage, Pune needs to be saved from pollution,” the Minister said and added that the city needs to get rid of petrol and diesel vehicles and build an electric public transport system that runs on non-polluting fuels like ethanol. The minister also urged the State government to take efforts in that direction.
Expressing his determination to bring India to the top position in the field of automobile industry, Gadkari said that since the role of Pune will be very important in the process, every individual needs to make a concerted effort to make Pune a major development centre of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the further development of the infrastructure in Pune will help in increasing the investment in the area. “There is a need to further strengthen the public transport services in the city. At the same time, it is also necessary to have an independent airport for Pune and for that, all the necessary permissions have been obtained from the Central government,” he said and added that the land acquisition work for the airport will be started soon by taking the local residents into confidence.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the work of the metro between Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad will be fast-tracked in the near future. He said that if funds received from the Centre to build a two-storey flyover and more as needed, it will be used to improve the living conditions of the people of Pune by resolving traffic jams on the highways running through the city..