Pune: The public works department (PWD) has prepared a plan to construct three flyovers at an estimated cost of Rs 227 crore to ease traffic congestion around Hinjewadi area.The move comes after a delay of more than three years, during which multiple departments passed the buck over the development of the Laxmi Chowk flyover.The plan includes an 850-metre flyover and a 520-metre grade separator at Laxmi Chowk. A 590-metre, four-lane flyover connecting Laxmi Chowk and Bhumkar Chowk is proposed at Vinodenagar Chowk, while another 740-metre, four-lane flyover connecting Laxmi Chowk to Marunji is planned near Gurukrupa Hospital Chowk.“A proposal has been sent to state govt for approval. The next course of action for implementation will be decided after the proposal is approved and funds are allocated,” said Bharatkumar Baviskar, superintendent engineer, PWD.The original plan was to construct a single flyover at Laxmi Chowk. “However, additional flyovers have been included to provide a comprehensive solution to traffic flow issues,” he added.The plan was discussed at a weekly meeting held on Oct 23 to address infrastructure issues in Hinjewadi and Chakan.“Traffic congestion at Laxmi Chowk has become a daily struggle. Commuters lose time during peak hours. Thousands of employees travel through Hinjewadi every day, but the infrastructure has not kept pace with the area’s growth. The congestion affects not just office-goers but also residents, delivery vehicles and local businesses. Vehicles get stuck at the junction every day, and the resulting delays disrupt routine activities,” said Sanjay Dhumal, an IT professional residing in Hinjewadi.Pawanjit Mane, an activist working to improve infrastructure in Hinjewadi, said the flyover at Laxmi Chowk was the need of the hour. “While the govt is responding to citizens’ demands, the timeline for the actual commencement of work remains unclear, given the delays so far,” he added.The development comes after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a Rs 426 crore package to improve infrastructure in the IT park. Among other initiatives, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has also drawn up a plan to improve last-mile connectivity to the Hinjewadi Metro line, which is scheduled to begin operations on Nov 3.
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