Katraj Chowk to Navale Bridge Chowk bypass highway stretch poses risk for citizens

The precarious condition of this stretch is due to the National Public Works Department (NPWD) working on new service roads, underpasses and other infrastructural works since the last two to three years

It has come to light that hundreds of commuters travelling daily between Katraj Chowk and Navale Bridge Chowk bypass highway are risking their lives as many entry and exit points have been closed and the service road near Shivsrushti remains an unfinished, ‘kachha’ road among others. The precarious condition of this stretch is due to the National Public Works Department (NPWD) working on new service roads, underpasses and other infrastructural works since the last two to three years.

Recently, the NPWD closed down illegal entry and exit points on the stretch with only a few entry and exit points kept open to connect the bypass highway to the service road. (RAHUL RAUT/ HT PHOTO)

Recently, the NPWD closed down illegal entry and exit points on the stretch with only a few entry and exit points kept open to connect the bypass highway to the service road. However, the service road itself has not been completed and remains a ‘kachha’ road.

Abhijeet Dhamdhere, a local resident, said, “If we want to travel to Pune city, going via Katraj Chowk is too far for us so we go by the kachha service road near Navale Bridge Chowk so that we can directly connect to Sinhagad Road.”

There are a couple of schools located on this stretch of highway and throughout the day, school-goers and their parents keep crossing the bypass highway risking their lives in the process. Also, school vehicles, buses and vans are parked on the service road, thus blocking the traffic.