PMRDA fines Chakan road contractor Rs 75 lakh over slow decongestion works

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has cracked down on delays in road works meant to ease traffic jams in Chakan. A total fine of Rs 75 lakh has been imposed on the contractor company.

PMRDA had begun work on seven roads under a "de-clogging" project to resolve traffic problems in the Chakan MIDC area and across the town. The pace of work remained slow. For this reason, the contractor was fined Rs 25 lakh each for the works on three roads, a total of Rs 75 lakh.

The contractor has been given until December to complete all seven roads. According to the administration, one-way traffic is already in force because of the road works. Jams and a shortage of manpower are among the reasons for the delay. The administration noted that the contractor company, Krishnai Infra Pvt Ltd, was repeatedly asked to speed up the work but progress did not meet expectations.

The slow pace is worsening the jams. The police are also finding it difficult to fix alternative routes for vehicles, and complaints from residents have increased. PMRDA Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhary visited the roads and, after seeing the progress of the work, ordered that the contractor be fined for the slow pace.

Local residents and traders had been criticising the administration's functioning over Chakan's traffic jams and other civic problems. Industries Minister Uday Samant then visited the area. He directed District Collector Jitendra Dudi to complete infrastructure and other works on time and to review them regularly. PMRDA is accordingly reviewing development works in and around Chakan.

Work on four roads in Chakan is stalled for several reasons. A proposal for approval of some works is pending at the Collector's office. Some changes have been made to the plan of the road linking Medankarwadi. There are some technical hurdles on the roads in Kharabwadi. For the proposed road to connect Nanekarwadi, land acquisition has not yet begun.

Commissioner Chaudhary said, "Road works are under way in Chakan town, inspections are being carried out from time to time, and those concerned have been directed to speed up the work so that it is completed on schedule. In addition, the process of land acquisition for some roads has begun."

The administration is also trying to provide roads and other facilities to ease jams in Hinjewadi. Six roads have been planned there, but the land acquisition they need is still held up. Consent from about 70 per cent of villagers has been obtained for two of the roads. Completing the remaining process, taking physical possession of the land and other administrative action are likely to take another five to six months. Speeding up the projects to resolve the jams in Chakan and Hinjewadi is therefore a challenge for the administration.