PCMC pays Rs18 crore for defence land

After two years, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has been able to resolve the land acquisition issue with the defence ministry for setting up the bus rapid transit system (BRTS) routes linking Aundh to Ravet and Nashik Phata to Wakad.

The civic body recently paid Rs18.23 crore to the ministry for acquiring land for the project. The co-ordinator of the engineering department of PCMC, Dilip Kudale, told DNA the defence ministry has demanded Rs158 crore for land acquisition for different BRTS routes in Pimpri-Chinchwad area.

“By giving the ministry Rs18.23 crore, the land acquisition problem on the Aundh-Ravet and Nashik-Phata to Wakad routes has been resolved,’’ Kudale added. The BRTS route from Nashik Phata flyover to Wakad is 8-km long.

Commuters of Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune have been facing problems since the last two years due the incomplete work of Aundh-Ravet BRTS route. There are regular traffic snarls at Sangvi Phata, Aundh Civil Hospital, Jagtap Dairy, Kalewadi Phata, Dange Chowk, Tathawade, Punavale and Ravet. Due to the incomplete work on the route, construction material has been lying scattered on the entire stretch, causing mishaps. It is difficult for residents of Sangvi, Pimple Gurav, Pimple Saudagar, Thergaon, Rahatni, Kalewadi and Chinchwad to pass through the stretch, especially during peak hours.