Pune: The newly inaugurated integrated flyover on Ganeshkhind Road will be named after former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, announced chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday after opening the flyover for public use.Speaking at the online inauguration ceremony, Fadnavis said, “The bridge demonstrates the state’s engineering capabilities and represents an excellent example of the use of modern design and technology. More such infrastructure projects are necessary to reduce traffic congestion in Pune, which is emerging as the national hub for Global Capability Centres.”Fadnavis stated that the project was completed despite criticism and opposition. He credited the late Ajit Pawar for playing a crucial role in bringing together experts, planners, and critics to ensure the project moved forward.The flyover is expected to ease traffic movement between Pashan Road, Baner Road, Aundh, and Shivajinagar. Constructed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), the project features a double-decker bridge. The lower deck functions as a flyover for road traffic, while the upper deck will carry the Metro line connecting Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar. Construction of the top level has also been completed, and a successful trial run of the Metro train on the route was conducted recently.He emphasised the importance of completing govt infrastructure projects within a shorter time frame, ideally between two and three years, to ensure benefits and efficient use of public facilities.He also stressed that addressing traffic congestion in Pune is a priority to support the city’s continued growth. He noted that development in some major cities has slowed due to inadequate infrastructure. As a result, reducing congestion in Pune is a key focus for the govt.Speaking at the ceremony, deputy chief minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said that traffic congestion near the main gate of Savitribai Phule Pune University and along Ganeshkhind Road had troubled residents for many years. “Ajit Pawar played a key role in accelerating several major road projects in Pune district by regularly coordinating with Union minister Nitin Gadkari. These efforts helped advance important routes such as Pune–Shirur, Hadapsar–Yavat, Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur, and Nashik Phata–Khed–Rajgurunagar,” she said. “There was a 21% increase for infrastructure in the state budget,” she said, adding that Pune’s development will receive a major boost through projects such as the next phases of the Metro, Yerawada-Katraj subway and the six-laning of various routes. “The announcement in this budget to develop Pune city as a ‘Growth Hub’ on the lines of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is a matter of joy for every Puneite,” she said.
