Pune civic body pays Rs 70 crore as Pashan-Baner link road moves ahead after 21 years

Work on the proposed road between Pashan and Baner has moved ahead. The project had been stalled for more than two decades. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has completed a large part of the land acquisition and has started development work in Ward 9.

The link road is proposed to be 36 metres wide. The PMC has so far paid about Rs 70 crore for land acquisition, which has removed the biggest obstacle to the project. Bhoomipujan was also held for this road and several other civic works in the area.

The project got fresh momentum from the efforts of Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, MP Medha Kulkarni and corporator Mayuri Kokate.

Along with the road, the PMC has set aside Rs 9 crore to improve basic amenities in Ward 9. The sum was released after corporator Mayuri Kokate pursued the matter continuously with the administration. The proposed works include road repairs, footpaths, streetlights, storm-water drains and a drainage network.

Plans also include public toilets, recreation centres for senior citizens, a Buddha Vihar, playgrounds, protection walls along streams and improvements to the cremation ground.

More road and connectivity works are expected in surrounding areas. BJP leader Rahul Kokate said work would soon be taken up on the main road in Sutarwadi, key roads in Susgaon and Mhalunge, a grade separator at Sus Khind and service roads along the highway.

Residents of the fast-growing Pashan-Baner area have long sought better road connectivity and basic civic amenities. The latest developments could draw attention to these long-standing problems.