Pune: The long-awaited Katraj flyover, which was intended to reduce traffic congestion in the busy Katraj area, is facing significant delays, leaving citizens frustrated.
The project, inaugurated on September 24, 2021, was initially expected to be completed by February 24, 2024. However, despite receiving an extension, the construction has been progressing at a slow pace due to various issues.
These delays have contributed to persistent traffic jams, particularly affecting the Katraj Chowk area, Wondercity, and nearby routes.
According to the initial plan, traffic coming from Navale Bridge towards Kondhwa was supposed to bypass Katraj Chowk entirely, using the flyover to pass over the congestion-prone areas and rejoin near Rajas Society.
This design was expected to reduce bottlenecks at key intersections, including the PMPML bus stand, Katraj Market, and sections of Satara Road.
Unfortunately, with the construction dragging on, these areas continue to suffer from heavy traffic, causing daily disruptions for commuters and local residents.
The flyover, which stretches over 1,326 meters and comprises six lanes, is being funded by a ₹169.15 crore grant from the central government.
Despite this financial backing, completing the project on schedule has become a daunting challenge for the National Highway Department, which is responsible for overseeing the construction.
The department has yet to provide a definitive timeline for when the flyover will be completed.
Local citizens, who have been enduring severe traffic delays for months, are calling on authorities to expedite the work and relieve them from the daily inconveniences.
The flyover is expected to significantly improve traffic flow in the Katraj and Rajas Chowk areas, but until its completion, the situation remains a major issue for the residents of Pune.
Key Dates:
Inauguration: September 24, 2021
Start of Construction: February 25, 2022
Original Completion Deadline: February 24, 2024
Extended Deadline: TBD
