MSRDC steps up ring road survey

Pune: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has expedited the survey of the proposed ring road around Pune and Pimpri Chinchawad.
About 50% of the survey, a compilation of geographical details of the stretch, has been completed, so far. The 170km six-lane proposed road will connect the roads around both cities and is expected to decentralize traffic.
The ring road was proposed in 2007 as a solution to the traffic mess in the two cities. About 48 hectare government land and 25 hectare private land has to be acquired for the project. Nearly 10 lakh vehicles will use the ring road.
Officials in the corporation said they have faced some hurdles from the local people during the survey because the proposed road goes through agricultural land. Officials have sought the help of local revenue officials to deal with the farmers' issues.
A senior official in the corporation said, "Local authorities can play an important role in dealing with farmers. It was resolved to seek the assistance of tehsildars and circle officers where surveyors may face resistance from the farmers. As of now, we have faced problems in about 12 km area at various places.''
The official said the joint survey with district authorities has helped as talks with local farmers are underway.
The corporation has planned separate surveys for the eastern and western parts. The road in the eastern part is expected to cover 100km, while the remaining 70km will be covered in the western region like Khed-Shivapur, Paud and Urse.
The survey on an 84-km stretch of the eastern part has already been completed. It covers areas like Nashik Phata, Hadapsar and Solapur Road areas. The survey of the western region will begin soon.
The work is proposed to be taken in four phases. An official said advanced machinery has been deployed for the survey work to ensure accuracy.
Meanwhile, a meeting in Mumbai with Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari in attendance to discuss the proposal will be rescheduled, sources said.