Pune: The widening of the 3.5km Katraj-Kondhwa road stretch is expected to pick up pace with state govt approving cash compensation for project-related land acquisition, a key issue that stalled the PMC initiative for nearly eight years.Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had taken up the the project in 2018. “Most landowners along the stretch had, however, refused alternatives such as Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and credit notes, insisting instead on monetary compensation. To resolve the impasse, PMC had approached state govt earlier this year,” an official said.Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has now approved a proposal to compensate landowners in cash, a move expected to significantly speed up the acquisition process. “This is a crucial decision that will help PMC obtain possession of the remaining plots and accelerate the road-widening work,” she said.The project aims to widen the existing road to 50 metres. At present, the road varies between 18 and 24 metres, which has become inadequate given the sharp rise in traffic in recent years. Residents and commuters frequently face congestion and delays along the busy stretch and have repeatedly demanded early completion of the work.PMC officials said land acquisition was the most challenging part of the project. “While work was carried out in sections where land had already been voluntarily handed over, several plot owners remained reluctant despite multiple rounds of negotiations,” another official said.With the latest development, PMC has deposited Rs 256 crore with the district administration towards compensation. The proposals for land acquisition are currently with the district authorities, and the civic officials expect the disbursement process to be completed within a month.Regular commuters, however, remain sceptical about whether the work can progress smoothly before the monsoon. Ajay Joshi, a frequent traveller on the route, said land acquisition process tend to take time. “Commuters will continue to face difficulties during the monsoon. The administration should make special arrangements to prevent traffic jams,” he said.Once completed, the widened road will significantly improve connectivity between Satara and Saswad-Solapur highways, providing faster and smoother movement for vehicles across the corridor.
