Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is gearing up to roll out a fresh set of precautionary measures on the under-construction Rakshak Chowk flyover near Pimple Nilakh, after a recent structural safety audit raised red flags over its dangerously steep gradient, sparking serious concerns about the safety of motorists.The audit was ordered following a site inspection by Maval MP and senior Shiv Sena member Shrirang Barne, who warned that the sharp slope could turn into an accident trap once the flyover opened to traffic. Drawing parallels with the Madhukar Pavale flyover in Nigdi, where a steep gradient has long been blamed for frequent accidents, Barne urged the civic administration to revisit the design, even suggesting an extension of the structure to reduce the incline.Civic officials confirmed that the audit report, received last week, prompted the administration to beef up safety mechanisms before throwing the flyover open to commuters. “Proposed measures include enforcing a strict speed limit of 30kmph, adding more rumbler strips and installing enhanced signage to warn motorists well in advance. We are also weighing the possibility of restricting two-wheelers, though a final call is yet to be taken,” a senior civic official said.Despite the renewed focus on safety, the officials insisted there was no structural red flag. “The audit found the gradient to be within the limits prescribed by the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and did not recommend any major design changes,” the official said.The Rs 22-crore project, now more than 95% complete, is in its final phase. The PCMC officials said the flyover’s design was vetted by experts from the College of Engineering, Pune (CoEP), and complied with all mandated norms. The fresh audit, they said, was conducted purely as a precaution after concerns were raised.However, Barne has struck a stern note of caution. During his Feb visit, he criticised the execution of the project, alleging lapses in addressing the technical challenges posed by the slope. Warning of serious consequences if accidents occurred, he said accountability would be fixed. “If mistakes persist despite instructions and mishaps occur after the flyover opens, strict legal action, including charges of culpable homicide, will be initiated against the consultant and concerned officials,” he said.Located on the crucial Aundh-BRTS road, the flyover sits on a key corridor linking Pimpri Chinchwad with Pune city and the Mumbai highway. Once operational, the officials said it was expected to ease congestion, streamline traffic from Aundh, Ravet and Mumbai, and offer a safer passage for commuters heading towards Pimple Nilakh, even as the debate over its slope refuses to die down.
