Wakad-Datta Mandir Road : The long-awaited construction of the Wakad-Datta Mandir Road in Pimpri-Chinchwad has finally seen a significant breakthrough with the successful removal of encroachments that had stalled the project for years. Following persistent pressure from residents and sustained media coverage, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) initiated a two-day anti-encroachment drive, clearing structures that obstructed the road’s widening.
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Years of Delays and Frustration:
The concretization of the Wakad-Datta Mandir Road, originally planned as a 45-meter-wide thoroughfare, has been plagued by delays for the past four years. Despite 95% of the land being acquired and compensation paid to landowners, illegal constructions and encroachments persisted, severely hindering the project’s progress. This resulted in chronic traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours, causing immense inconvenience to residents.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, residents repeatedly approached PCMC officials, including the Municipal Commissioner, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. The society federation in the area also made numerous appeals, but the situation remained unchanged.
Media played a crucial role in bringing this issue to the forefront, consistently highlighting the plight of residents and holding the PCMC accountable for the delays.
Encroachment Clearance and Renewed Hope:
The recent anti-encroachment drive, conducted under the orders of Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, saw the removal of tin sheds, RCC constructions, and other structures that were illegally occupying land designated for the road. This crucial step has paved the way for the road to be widened to its planned 45 meters, a significant relief for residents who have been grappling with traffic woes for years.
Concerns Regarding Road Width and Project Quality:
While the clearance of encroachments is a welcome development, concerns remain regarding the actual width of the road in certain sections. Allegations have been made that some unauthorized constructions have been allowed to remain, resulting in narrower road sections in some areas.
Furthermore, the quality of the road construction has also been a subject of concern. Former MLA Ashwini Jagtap has demanded an independent investigation into the project’s quality by a third-party agency.
The PCMC, acknowledging the need for swift action, conducted the encroachment removal drive over two days, issuing prior notices to all affected parties. (Wakad-Datta Mandir Road)
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