The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to take a tougher outlook against delays that are affecting the long-pending Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project and have warned that landowners who fail to hand over acquired plots could face possession proceedings with police assistance.
This move comes as the civic administration attempts to accelerate work on one of Pune's most congested road stretches which serves as a crucial link between Satara Road and Solapur Road.
Senior PMC officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner Omprakash Divate and engineers from the Roads Department, recently inspected the stretch between Rajs Society Chowk and Pisoli to assess hurdles slowing down the project.
The review focused on unresolved land acquisition issues, encroachments and other obstacles that have prevented the widening work from progressing at the desired speed.
After the inspection, officials asked the departments concerned to take an action against unauthorised structures falling within the proposed road alignment.
PMC has indicated that an anti-encroachment drive will be launched to clear obstructions and create space for construction activities. Authorities have also been asked to identify all pending cases where acquired land has not yet been handed over to the civic body.
Officials said the Roads Department has been instructed to immediately begin the widening work wherever land is already available. Meanwhile, the land acquisition, property management and engineering departments have been asked to coordinate closely to avoid further delays.
This project has received renewed momentum after the civic administration gained a remarkable funds for land acquisition, supported by financial assistance from the Maharashtra government.
The Katraj-Kondhwa road is among the city's busiest transport corridors and is frequently blocked by traffic congestions, particularly during peak hours. Residents and commuters have long time ago demanded the completion of the widening project, which is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce travel time between southern and eastern parts of Pune.
PMC officials have expressed confidence that the latest measures would help speed up execution and bring the project closer to completion.
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