Pune: Pune: Chinchwad BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap has demanded immediate construction of eight ‘box structure’ underpasses along the Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) to address worsening traffic congestion between Kiwale and Baner.Raising the issue during the ongoing assembly session on Thursday, Jagtap highlighted that the existing underpasses on this stretch have become major chokepoints. He noted that while the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already prepared a detailed project report (DPR) based on previous recommendations, the proposal remains stalled at the govt level.Responding to the demand, state urban development minister Madhuri Misal said, “The technical feasibility of the project will be reviewed, and appropriate action initiated soon.”This is not the first time the MLA has pushed for these infrastructure upgrades. In Nov last year, Jagtap raised the issue with Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari. In his appeal, Jagtap emphasised that the highway passes through critical IT and education hubs, industrial zones, and rapidly growing residential townships.“Traffic has been a long-standing grievance in Pune, and the situation has deteriorated significantly over the last few years,” Jagtap stated. “The highway cuts through densely populated areas and intersects major junctions at Punawale, Baner, Balewadi, Wakad, Hinjewadi, Kiwale, and Ravet, making seamless movement nearly impossible.”Box structure underpasses are considered an efficient solution for highway crossings as they utilise advanced technology that requires less construction time and offers flexibility for future modifications.Currently, NHAI has several proposals aimed at easing the gridlock, including widening the service roads from 12 metres to 24 metres on both sides and constructing an elevated flyover from Kiwale to Narhe to bypass local traffic. However, both projects have faced significant delays.The lack of infrastructure has hit residents of developing suburbs like Punawale and Tathawade the hardest. With only two existing underpasses to handle the massive volume of vehicles, daily commutes have become an ordeal. Many of these residents are IT professionals working in Hinjewadi who report spending hours stuck in traffic, particularly at the Punawale underpass.The situation turns critical during the monsoon, as one of the primary underpasses frequently floods. This forces all vehicular movement through a single route, paralysing traffic for hours and leaving commuters stranded.
