Aundh-Ravet BRTS project cost escalates by Rs6 crore

The cost of Aundh-Ravet bus rapid transit system (BRTS) corridor project of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), which is underway since 2008, has escalated by Rs 6 crore. Now, the civic administration fears that the cost of the project may reach Rs 500 crore till it is completed.

The civic administration has tabled a proposal before the standing committee seeking approval of the cost escalation of the project, which has now reached the Rs 386-crore mark.

PCMC’s engineering department spokesperson Shrish Poredi said, “The cost escalation is due to the delay in the project and increasing cost of construction material.”

The work order for the BRTS project was issued on September 9, 2008. The deadline for completion of the work was March 9, 2010. It was later granted extension till December 2010. Now, almost five years after the work order was issued, the project is still incomplete.

Aundh-Ravet is the prime route to commute between Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The road is also used to reach Hinjewadi IT Park from Pune. There are three bus stops at Sangvi, Aundh and Dange Chowk and several autorickshaw stands.

The civic body had already acquired defence land for the project. The proposed eight-lane road was to provide connectivity to vehicles heading from Aundh to Mumbai via the Expressway in 10 minutes, reducing the total travel time from Pune to Mumbai by 20 minutes. Due to the incomplete work, several small mishaps have taken place on this stretch.

Abhijit Nagarkar, a software engineer working in Hinjewadi IT Park said, “We are desperately waiting for the BRTS work to get over. The PCMC never provides any kind of alternative while carrying out big projects in the city, so that the local residents and commuters do not suffer.”

Traffic hurdles
Commuters face traffic hurdles at Sangvi Phata, Aundh Civil Hospital, Jagtap Dairy, Kalewadi Phata, Dange Chowk, Tathawade, Punavale and Ravet, PCMC Ward-D office

14.4-km stretch
The 14.4-km Aundh-Ravet route from Rajiv Gandhi bridge across Mula river to Ravet falls in the municipal limits. The civic body is widening the road to 45 mts to make it six lanes. Two central lanes will be used for the BRTS corridor

Residents affected
Residents of Sangvi, Pimple Gurav, Pimple Saudagar, Thergoan, Rahatni, Kalewadi and Chinchwad face a lot of hardships in commuting on this stretch especially during the peak morning and evening hours