‘Free Left’ to Ease Traffic Congestion in Tathawade–Wakad: MLA Shankar Jagtap

Pimpri-Chinchwad: A major decision bringing relief to lakhs of residents living in housing societies across Pimpri-Chinchwad city is set to be implemented. A separate “special policy” will now be formulated by the municipal corporation for the trimming of trees within housing society premises. As a result, the entire financial burden of tree trimming will no longer fall on housing societies and, consequently, on citizens, informed MLA Shankar Jagtap.

This decision was taken during an important high-level meeting held on Monday with Municipal Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryavanshi regarding infrastructure, traffic congestion, environment, and civic amenities in the city. Additional Commissioner Kuldeep Jangam, Additional Commissioner Vikrant Bagade, Deputy Commissioner Anna Bodade, City Engineer Manoj Sethiya, Chief Engineer Sanjay Kulkarni, Assistant City Engineer Pramod Ombhase, Bapu Gaikwad, Prerana Sinkar, Ajay Suryavanshi, and heads of various departments were present at the meeting.

At present, the municipal corporation only undertakes trimming of trees in public spaces, while there was no financial or administrative provision for trimming trees inside private housing societies. Consequently, societies had to bear substantial expenses from their own funds, especially before the monsoon season. With the new policy, citizens are expected to receive relief from this financial burden.

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As part of environmental conservation efforts, MLA Jagtap also directed that at least one tree must be planted between every two electric poles along roads before the completion of under-construction road projects.

Meanwhile, instructions have been issued to organize a joint meeting of PCMC, PMC, MPCB, and the District Collector to control air pollution caused by Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants. Notices have already been served to around 150 builders for violating the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to RMC operations. MLA Jagtap further suggested that compliance with RMC regulations should be included within the conditions of environmental clearances.

A survey of public toilets across the city has also been initiated, and reserved spaces for high-quality public toilets will be incorporated into the upcoming Draft Development Plan. Special emphasis has been placed on setting up “She Toilets” for women through CSR funding. Additionally, a suggestion was made to reserve land for a post office in Pimple Saudagar.

Keeping the upcoming monsoon in mind, directions have been issued to immediately complete the cleaning of all drains and streams across the city. Officials at zonal offices have been granted full authority to remove illegal constructions and encroachments from drains and streambeds. Immediate action has also been ordered to resolve the contaminated water issue in the Kalewadi area.

Instructions have been given to implement the “Assured Progress Scheme” and “In-Service Scheme,” which are expected to directly benefit around 2,800 municipal employees financially. Employees who worked day and night for registrations under the “Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana” will also receive a special incentive allowance. MLA Jagtap further stated that the process of transferring the Zilla Parishad school at Punawale to the municipal corporation will be expedited.

Suggestion to Reduce Footpath Width Under ‘Urban Street’ Initiative

During the meeting, immediate and aggressive measures were directed to tackle traffic congestion in the city. Instructions were issued to clear “Free Left” turns at major junctions along with widening the Kaspate Wasti Road, which is expected to reduce travel time for motorists.

Directions were also given to make immediate financial provisions for the Swarajya Chowk underpass in Pimple Saudagar and the flyover at PK Chowk.

Importantly, the widths of footpaths developed under the “Urban Street” and Smart City initiatives at Kalptaru Chowk, RK Chowk, and Sangvi Phata will be reduced in order to widen roads and improve traffic flow.

MLA Shankar Jagtap also stated that a joint meeting between the traffic police and municipal commissioner would be held to identify traffic congestion and accident-prone areas and implement immediate solutions.

“Residents living in housing societies across the city were being forced to bear a huge financial burden for tree trimming from their own pockets. To reduce this unnecessary expense, I have instructed the administration to formulate a special and independent policy. This will provide relief to lakhs of citizens. While accelerating the city’s development, our priority remains strengthening infrastructure along with resolving issues related to traffic congestion, environmental conservation, and employee welfare. The administration has been directed to ensure immediate and time-bound implementation of all decisions taken in today’s meeting.”

— Shankar Jagtap
(MLA, Chinchwad Assembly Constituency)