A story of delays and missed deadlines

About two years ago, when the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) announced its plans to strengthen the city’s infrastructure in view of the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG), citizens were excited about the brand new look the city would wear.

However, with less than 45 days remaining for the inauguration of the Games, the civic body is struggling hard to meet the deadline which has been postponed twice. The Games are scheduled to be held at the Balewadi sports complex from October 11 to 18.

In September last year, MP and chairman of CYG's organising committee Suresh Kalmadi and municipal commissioner Pravinsinh Pardeshi had announced that detailed project reports and plans for strengthening the road projects were completed and work would begin soon thereafter.

While it was announced that the work would be completed by June 30, the deadline was later extended to August 15 when the pace of work slowed down for one reason or the other. Pardeshi then announced that the projects will be completed by the end of September.

The plan involved widening, concretisation and beautification of 13 main roads, resurfacing of 10 link roads and developing parking lots and pedestrian facilities.

Although priority was given to the roads leading to Balewadi complex, including airport to Ramwadi octroi post, Sancheti hospital to university chowk, Hotel Greenpark to Balewadi stadium and airport junction to Vishrantwadi chowk, only less than 50 per cent work has been completed on these roads.

According to details of status of road works furnished by the PMC to TOI on Wednesday, on some roads like the Sancheti hospital to Harris bridge just 20 per cent work is complete till date although the work order was given on January 24, 2008. Kalyaninagar junction to Alandi road has been completed just about 30 per cent. Work on Shivaji road, Nehru road and Bajiroa road are only 50 per cent complete.

Similarly, out of the 12 parking lots, four will not be coming up at all as the PMC has not been able to procure land for them at Baner, Wadgaon, near Alka theatre and near Bopodi octroi post.

Work is still on at plots at Moledina hall, Revenue colony, Ramwadi, Parvati, Kothrud bus depot and JM road and opposite the PMC building and near the Savarkar bhavan.

A senior civic official cited land acquisition as a major reason for the delay in projects.