Pune To Fast-Track Road Network Expansion With Compulsory Land Acquisition For ‘Missing Links’

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to initiate compulsory land acquisition to complete hundreds of “missing links” in the city’s road network, a move aimed at tackling worsening traffic congestion caused by rapid urban growth and a surge in vehicle ownership, according to a Pune Pulse report.

For years, the civic body has attempted to ease bottlenecks by building flyovers, widening arterial roads, and opening new routes.

However, with daily traffic choking major corridors, officials say incremental measures have fallen short.

A comprehensive review has now shifted focus to unlocking unfinished road stretches that remain fragmented due to land availability issues.

A joint 2022 study by PMC and students from MIT College identified over 700 locations where incomplete road segments have stalled connectivity.

Surveys covering both the core city and recently merged peripheral villages, using the Development Plan (DP) and Regional Plan (RP), revealed 520 km of such incomplete roads. Officials estimate that completing them could open up approximately 500 km of additional routes for commuters.

Until now, efforts to acquire land through voluntary agreements met limited success, with many property owners unwilling to part with their holdings.

The targeted stretches span key localities, including Kothrud, Karvenagar, Warje, Baner, Pashan, Kondhwa, Nagar Road–Airport–Kharadi, Mundhwa–Hadapsar, Sinhgad Road, and Satara Road.

Several critical connector roads within these areas have been prioritised to improve east-west and north-south flow across the city.

Urban planners note that “missing link” completion projects can significantly reduce congestion without the costs and delays of entirely new infrastructure, as they maximise existing layouts.

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