6.12.11

Somewhere in Pune....

The congested Jedhe chowk at Swargate will not just have a mere flyover for solving the traffic problems. Instead a futuristic idea has been mooted where the junction will be a hub for connecting all modes of transport. The hub will connect to pedestrian subways, the BRTS route, and bus terminals, with provision for integrating it with future modes of transport such as metrorail and monorail. Called an inter-modal transit centre (IMTC) building, it will also house commercial establishments. While the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) had earlier planned to construct a flyover at Jedhe chowk, plans are now afoot for construction of the IMTC, which will be a single stop facility to link a variety of transportation options. The MSRDC on Thursday invited global bids for appointing consultants for conducting feasibility studies and preparation of a detailed project report with preliminary estimates and designs. Officials said the MSRDC is exploring the possibility of implementing the IMTC project through public private partnership on design-build-finance-operate-transfer basis. The project involves construction of the IMTC on a land area of 24 acres at Swargate bus station, and various connectors in the heart of Pune city. The issue of construction of the flyover and other alternatives was considered earlier this month at a high level meeting in Mumbai. At the meeting, it was decided that the construction work should start by April 1. The meeting was attended by some city MLAs and principal secretary of the urban development department, T C Benjamin. At the meeting, it was decided that the MSRDC would finalise the design and alignment of the flyover in consultation with the traffic police and other stakeholders. The Jedhe chowk at Swargate has in its vicinity the bus terminals of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited. In addition, there is a terminus for the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS). Monorail and metro projects too have been proposed on this route. Five main arterial roads join at this junction, which has heavy traffic and pedestrian movement. The MSRDC has stated that the proposed IMTC will cater to the present and future needs of MSRTC and BRTS operations. It will also be integrated with the proposed transportation systems like metro and monorail, along with connectors to pedestrian accesses, subways, and walkways. Harnessing commercial development potential of the area has also been envisaged in the plan.

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