Forceful land acquisition for Katraj-Kondhwa road from next week

Pune: The PMC is set to initiate forceful land acquisition for the long-delayed Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project starting next week. The decision was finalised during a high-level meeting on Wednesday.

“We will approach the police department within the next couple of days to request protection. The actual acquisition process will begin after this weekend,” Rajesh Bankar, head of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s road department, told TOI.

The administration needs to acquire 102 properties under compulsory land acquisition. While the process is already underway, Bankar noted that approximately 10% of these owners are not cooperating. “We will try to persuade them until the last minute. However, if they refuse to hand over the land, we will proceed with forceful acquisition with the help of the police,” he added.

The 3.5-km stretch, which connects Satara Road to Solapur Road, is a critical artery prone to severe traffic congestion. The project aims to widen the road from its current 18–24 metres to a uniform 50 metres.

On Wednesday, a delegation of PMC officials inspected the site from Rajas Society Chowk to the Pisoli boundary to identify specific bottlenecks. The civic body plans to remove all encroachments and unauthorised structures on land already in its possession within the next 48 hours.

First launched in 2018, the project stalled for years because landowners rejected transfer of development rights (TDR) or credit notes, demanding cash compensation instead. The deadlock was broken in April when the state govt approved monetary payouts. The PMC has since deposited Rs256 crore with the district administration to facilitate these payments.

For residents, the move is a relief but comes after a heavy price. “This project has been stalled for years and is a major grievance. It’s not just about traffic jams; the narrow width and poor road quality have led to several fatal accidents,” said Rucha Joshi, a Katraj resident. Commuters have urged the PMC to complete the work before the monsoon to avoid further safety hazards.