Rapid transits in Pune soon!

New Metro rail projects hope to transform an overcrowded, under-serviced urban India.

The British built India’s railway network in the mid-19^th century. Now, more than a century and half later, the Metro rail is alternating maps and lives in much the same way in some of India’s largest and most crowded cities.

An ambitious project afoot hoping to resolve issues of cheap and easy connectivity for citizens. The Kolkata Metro was the first off the mark. The completely indigenous underground railway commenced operations in 1984 and became the pride of the city. The metro is going to evident the growth of the city, especially with property prices shooting up in locales no one would have thought of inhabiting just a couple of decades ago. Countless commuters are set  to benefit as the network  gets denser.

The work, that appears to be carrying endlessly – disrupting traffic and inconveniencing local residents – is likely to be for greater good.

Building a Metro in an Indian city is an arduous task, encumbered as it may get by the processes of land acquisition, relocation of project  affected  persons, realignment of public  utilities, co-ordination with other agencies and even large scale thefts at sites.

Apart from the structural work, the project involves installation of  signaling   and communication equipment and other technical work as well. Metro projects are capital-intensive and usually not financially viable on a standalone  basis, due to the complexity of risks involved. To make these projects viable, the government provides viability gap funding to assume some of the risk.

With India’s growing numbers and demand for transport, the future of the Metro seems secure.

Pune District’s first two-tier flyover at Nashik Phata- an Engineering Marvel!

The work of the much-talked about and anticipated, Maharashtra’s first ever two-tier flyover at Nashik Phata is complete. The flyover Nashik Phata in Pimpri-Chinchwad is the first multi-layered flyover in the district. The critical junction in Kasarwadi where two major highways Pune-Nashik Highway and Mumbai Pune Highway meet – is where the most anticipated flyover has got constructed. The uniqueness of the project is it crosses two national highways — NH 4 and NH 15 and the river, railway bridge.

While the Nashik highway has been widened to 42 meters, the Mumbai-Pune highway has been widened to 61 meters.

Unidirectional two lane traffic would be followed on the upper flyover for the commuters travelling from Pune to Nashik without any signals or halts. The road is 9.5m wide, 913m long with 20m highest point from ground level.

People travelling from Bhosari to Sangvi, Pimple Saudagar, Pimple Gurav and Wakad will use the lower flyover.  This flyover is a two way traffic road that runs over the Mumbai Pune Highway, Pune Mumbai Railway Line and Pavana River.  With two lanes and a footpath, the road comes with the total width of 30.6m and length of 1.09km.

Permission from the Railways as well as from the Union ministry of surface transport was needed for the construction.

Initially the project was to be implemented under the Union governments Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).  Later the World Bank (WB) approved the loan for the construction of the Empire Estate flyover as well as the Nashik Phata flyover. So The flyover is built partly from JNNURM funds and partly from the WB loan. 

Earlier MSRDC had planned a simple flyover at Nashik Phata chowk, but after studying the topography   and traffic conditions at chowk, a decision was made taken to link the Pune-Mumbai expressway to the Pune-Mumbai highway and the Pune-Nashik highway.

About the structure

Rs103.50 crore: Cost of the project

Architecture Design: Consulting Engineering Services Pvt Ltd

Project Funded By: World Bank and JNURM

Developer : BG Shirke and VM Mistry

First Level:

Twin flyovers from Bhosari to Wakad

15.30 meters: width 

1,100.20 meters: length 

6 meters: height of the chowk

Dedicated lane for BRTS, motor- vehicle, cycle track, footpath

Second Level:

One way- Pune to Nashik

9.30 meters (two lane): width 

11,000 meters: length 

20 meters: height 

3 ramps for pedestrians

The bridge will do what was once considered improbable — connect the IT and industrial hub of Pimpri Chinchwad. The flyover will also connect the newly well-developed residential suburbs and two major highways NH-4 and NH-15. 

Interview with Ex PCMC Commissioner - Dr. Shrikar Pardeshi - Destination Moshi

Q. PCMC (Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation) is richest corporation in Asia… what do you have to say about it….

Commissioner: PCMC was the richest corporation in Asia, but not as of now under the per capita measures. This is due to the increase in the population which has led to the increase in denominator. 

Q. What developments are you planning for PCMC?

Commissioner: I am very focused in terms of infrastructural development of PCMC. There are lot of projects to be launched under the JNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru national Urban Renewal Mission ) plan.

BRT services is among them which will be live in a year’s time. The system will when completed comprise eight routes with a total length of 112 km, with improved street lighting and passenger facilities on the roads used by the system.

The BRT operates through four corridors (two from each municipal corporation), which include Nagar Road and Alandi Road under PMC, and Nigdi-Dapodi and Aundh-Ravet under PCMC.

 “There are several misconceptions about the BRT. For instance, since it occupies a sizeable portion of the road, people think it will disturb traffic. Our aim is to convince people that BRT is feasible, by showing them successful examples of the project,” said Dr Shrikar Pardeshi, PCMC commissioner.

In terms of tourism we have already built a Science park which is one of its kind. In 2 years they plan to construct Planetorium at the same location. Balnagari near Moshi and Bhosari is also on cards. This Balnagari is going to be a play zone filled with number of toys and games for children.

Also the beautiful Pavana River front near Morya Gosavi will be developed in terms of leisure activities in near future.

Q. What are you planning to do for Moshi residents differently?

Commissioner: The spine bridge is a high capacity transit road. It has been constructed keeping in mind the heavy load transportation that is it is going to take in near future.

The Metro which connects Chakan ( Proposed International Airport) via Moshi is another attraction.

A 30 m wide BRT is under the cover from Dehu to Alandi via Moshi.

Q. What is your budget for Moshi and how and where has it been distributed or invested?

Commissioner: There are no special budgets allocated to any particular area in PCMC. But, more allocation is given to the areas which are developing rapidly and where the demand is more. Hence Moshi having tremendous capacity to grow is the focus point now.

Q. How well is the water supply distributed in Moshi.. any rainwater harvesting or recycling projects?

Commissioner:  We motivate the builders to use environmental friendly raw materials. Rain water harvesting implementation is a mandate for all builders in their projects.

Q. Are the residential and commercial projects in Moshi planned keeping something different in mind…. Like any new idea implemented?

Commissioner: A concept called Griha from Delhi has been implemented by lot of builders. And the builders who are implementing such more environment friendly measures are given benefits.

Q. Why is Moshi attracting real estate buyers?

Commissioner: Moshi is the fastest growing town because of some prime reasons…

1. Proximity to Chakan – Chakan is the fastest growing industrial area as MIDC has given them a dynamic infrastructure. The world’s greatest automobiles industries have established there office in Chakan, leading to exponential growth for the people around leading to opportunities increase for real estate, employment for all the sectors and much more…..

2. Proposed International Airport – The proposed international airport at Chakan or Khed is another key factor for the development of Moshi.

3.  Moshi is at the border of PCMC, i.e. the last destination within the city limits and then the rural area starts. This talks about its relative proximity to city and its importance.

4. ICC- International Convention Center – this project is under Pradhikaran and is one the largest projects. It will be completed in 3 phases. This project is going to attract lot of investors.

Q. What kind of planning been done or implemented in terms of employment.. like what kind of industries  are coming up in Moshi?

Commissioner: For employment there are lot more industries coming in MIDC Chakan. Also once the ICC is built that would create opportunities. IT Zones have also been allocated.

Q. Any villages planned to join there borders with PCMC… when is that going to happen?

Commissioner: Nothing has yet been finalized. The proposal is yet under covers.

Q. Out of curiosity.. I have question in my mind.. why the name Spine to the flyover.. is spine of PCMC or moshi….

Commissioner: The spine name has been given by Pradhikaran. May its because it connects two major highways – Pune Mumbai Highway and Pune Nashik Highway.

Q. Tell  us something about yourself.. you have completed MBBS MD and then you moved to become an IAS officer…

Commissioner:  I am basically from Sangli …. But was raised in different cities… was in PCMC School till preprimary School. I completed MBBS and parallelly  I was preparing for IAS and MD. I joined IAS services in 2001 with Kolhapur as my first posting. Pune is my 5^th posting. I have in total spent 24 years in Pune.

Q. What motivates you in your life when you go through such hiccups or rough patches in your life.. like whats your strength…

Commissioner: Problems of a common man and an urge to solve those acts as a motivation to me. I am in the system and I have the authority to change the system.

Q. How do you tackle the pressure of maintaining balance between a family man and a commissioner?

Commissioner: Its difficult to put in words.

Q. Where do you like to engage your time when you are not working?

Commissioner: I like to read. I read books which give me new ideas. My favourite authors are Nandan Nilekani and Narayan Murthy.