3 weeks ago
PCMC Sets August Deadline as Railway Flyover Still Incomplete
People in a city called Pimpri-Chinchwad have been waiting a very long time for a new bridge called a flyover.
The bridge is being built over railway tracks so cars do not have to stop when a train passes.
It will give drivers a faster shortcut to an old highway.
The city government hired a construction company to build it, but the work took much longer than planned.
The builder was supposed to finish by March 2025, but only about 60 percent of the work was done in that time.
The city gave the builder three extra chances, and all three deadlines were missed.
Now the city says the builder must finish by the end of August or pay a fine of 1,000 rupees every day.
People who live nearby are unhappy because the road has been closed for years.
They now have to use roads that are very long or very crowded.
One resident even said the railway gate was fine and the flyover was not needed at all.
The railway flyover at Dairy Farm in Pimpri-Chinchwad remains incomplete despite three deadline extensions, with the route closed for about 3 years.
PCMC has directed the contractor to complete the remaining work by the end of August, with a Rs 1,000-per-day penalty from September 1 if the deadline is missed.
The 1,290-metre-long, 17.20-metre-wide flyover was approved at Rs 65.28 crore, with the work order issued on March 31, 2023.
Only around 60% of the work was completed in the original 24-month period; delays were attributed to trees in the way and permissions needed from the Union Railway Department.
The flyover will link Pimple Saudagar, Pimple Gurav, Rahatani and Pimpri Camp to the old Mumbai-Pune Highway and allow the Dairy Farm railway level crossing to be permanently closed.
- Who
- The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and its contractor; residents of Pimple Saudagar, Pimple Gurav, Rahatani and Pimpri Camp.
- What
- The incomplete railway flyover at Dairy Farm, which has missed three deadline extensions; PCMC has set an end-of-August completion deadline with penalties from September 1.
- Where
- Dairy Farm, Pimpri-Chinchwad, on the Pimpri Dairy Farm road, linking Pimpri to the old Mumbai-Pune Highway.
- When
- Work order issued March 31, 2023; original deadline March 31, 2025; three extensions granted; latest deadline set for the end of August.
- Why
- To provide a direct link and reduce traffic congestion caused by the railway level crossing, which will be permanently closed once the flyover opens.
Residents
PCMC / Contractor
Need for the flyover
Residents
Some residents, like Priya Chaudhari of Rahatani, say the railway gate was convenient, waits were only a few minutes, and the flyover was unnecessary.
PCMC / Contractor
PCMC says the flyover is necessary because the railway level crossing causes severe congestion, long queues and delays, and will provide uninterrupted vehicle movement.
Handling of the prolonged closure
Residents
Residents like Vijeta Mali say the shortcut has been closed for years, leaving only distant or congested alternative routes, and they want the road reopened quickly.
PCMC / Contractor
PCMC says delays were due to obstacles such as trees and permissions required from the Union Railway Department, which is why three extensions were granted to the contractor.
Key facts
- Project
- Railway flyover at Dairy Farm, Pimpri-Chinchwad
- Length
- 1,290 metres
- Width
- 17.20 metres
- Approved cost
- Rs 65.28 crore
- Work order date
- March 31, 2023
- Original deadline
- March 31, 2025 (about 60% work completed)
- Extensions granted
- 3 (November 30, 2025; April 30, 2026; and a further three months)
- Penalty
- Rs 1,000 per day from September 1 if incomplete
Quotes
Vijay Bhojne
Executive engineer, Pimpri‑Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
“"This route needs to be started quickly because it is a shortcut for going from Pimple Gurav and Pimple Saudagar to Pimpri. Currently, there are two ways. One is via Nashik Phata and the old highway, which is far. The other is through Pimpri Camp, where there is heavy traffic because of the large number of vehicles and narrow roads. It has been over a couple of years since this road was closed."”
freepressjournal.in
“"Due to obstacles in the work, the contractor was given three extensions. The bridge work is in its final stages. Rain is limiting the execution of the work. If the contractor does not complete the work by the end of August, penalties will be imposed from 1st September. The price escalation of the contractor has been frozen."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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