Pune-Pimpri Chinchwad to have a Ring Road

Mumbai, June 12 (UNI) With a view to cater to the growing population in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today issued directives for construction of a Ring Road to ease the congestion.

He was speaking at a meeting held in Mantralaya to discuss the various infrastructural and developmental issues concerning the two cities. Water Resources Minister Ajit Pawar, Marketing Minister Harshvardhan Patil and Minister of state for Urban Development Rajesh Tope were present on the occasion.

Mr Pawar suggested that the road should be about 120 meter with a provision for a service road. PWD officials said the Ring Road would cost approximately Rs 600 crore and should be constructed on BOT basis. If private parties are roped in by providing them land for commercial purposes elsewhere, they can be asked to construct the road by themselves and hence there would be no need to pay toll tax.

Divisional Commissioner Nitin Kareer informed the Chief Minister that private parties have constructed roads in such a manner in cities like Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Mr Deshmukh suggested that a comprehensive proposal be submitted to the cabinet at the earliest.

It was also decided that the required land for construction of road would be made available by both the municipal corporations.

The Government also decided to procure 162 private buses for the Transport utility of both the cities on lease. Similarly, the issue of development plan of 23 villages in the jurisdiction of Pune Municipal corporation would be solved in a month's time. Pune Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi sought waiving off the condition of approval of 70 per cent of the slum dwellers for their rehabilitation as it is being done on government land under the SRA scheme.

Mr Deshmukh directed that the issue be discussed with all elected representatives, local political leaders and corporators.

UNI