Construction on the service road adjacent to National Highway(NH) 48 in the Pimpri-Chinchwad region is set to begin next month. This project aims to enhance and expand the service road through a partnership between the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), according to officials.
A review meeting was conducted on Tuesday by municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh, attended by senior officials from both organizations, to expedite the project. Currently, the service roads along NH-48 measure 12 meters in width.
The approved plan outlines an expansion to 24 meters to alleviate congestion on the highway and enhance traffic flow within the city. The NHAI has developed a comprehensive project plan and will oversee the construction.
Singh instructed officials to promptly eliminate all encroachments, including unauthorized signage and stalls, that could hinder the roadwork. He also highlighted the importance of planning for underground utilities, such as sewage, water pipelines, drainage, and electrical lines, to ensure the upgraded road infrastructure is sustainable. “The work must be carried out in a timely manner with full cooperation among all relevant departments—encroachment, drainage, water supply, licensing, electricity, and regional offices,” Singh directed.
Pradip Jambhale Patil, additional commissioner of PCMC, stated, “Once the service roads are expanded, we anticipate a significant reduction in traffic congestion on the highway. These service lanes will alleviate pressure on the main carriageway and enhance overall traffic management in the city.