Collector Dudi orders swift action on Chakan-Hinjewadi traffic jams, encroached drains and potholes

Pune: Traffic jams are growing steadily in the Chakan and Hinjewadi industrial areas. Roads have potholes, rainwater does not drain properly, drains are encroached upon, and questions remain over road widening, junctions, U-turns and public transport. To find firm remedies, Collector Jitendra Dudi reviewed the situation through a high-level task force committee. He said the departments concerned should complete the survey, planning and necessary action immediately and keep an action plan ready.

The meeting at the Collector's office was attended by Resident Deputy Collector and committee member secretary Jyoti Kadam and Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikrant Deshmukh. Officials from MIDC, the municipal corporation, the police, the highways wing and other departments concerned also came.

Freeing drains of encroachment was a particular focus. Dudi said drains in the Chakan area should be surveyed, details of encroachments collected and action taken to remove them. Temporary encroachments should be removed at once. Illegal construction should be dealt with as per rules and the drains cleared. He also made clear that where a permitted structure is blocking the flow of a drain, the space needed to divert the drain along another route should be planned. MIDC and PMRDA were asked to survey the drains in their respective areas and collect separate details of encroachments.

For the National Highway, officials were asked to study actual traffic data, the direction of vehicles and onward traffic when deciding dividers, U-turns and junctions. Dudi directed that authorised U-turns and junctions be fixed only at necessary spots, based on traffic simulation. Road designs should account for present and future traffic capacity. The meeting also stressed effective use of ITMS and traffic simulation for traffic management.

Potholes on the roads in Hinjewadi and Chakan were ordered to be filled at once. But Dudi made clear that filling potholes alone would not be enough. To drain the rainwater that collects on roads properly, the storm water drainage system must be strengthened.

Buses and other vehicles stopping illegally on the National Highway and service roads cause jams. It should therefore be ensured that vehicles halt only at authorised bus stops and designated bus depots. The police administration was directed to act against illegal stops and parking.

The meeting also reviewed issues related to pipelines of MNGL, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and other agencies concerned, as well as the problem of river pollution. The departments concerned were told to take the necessary action in coordination. Dudi also directed officials to resume at once the anti-encroachment drive that had been halted because of Ganeshotsav, and to make the required space available.