Pimpri Chinchwad: The service roads flanking National Highway 48 within Pimpri Chinchwad limits are set for a major upgrade, as the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) collaborates with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to decongest traffic and enhance connectivity. A high-level review meeting was recently conducted under the leadership of PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh, with senior representatives from both agencies in attendance.
At present, these service lanes are 12 metres wide. Under the proposed plan, their width will be doubled to 24 metres. The project blueprint has already been prepared by NHAI, which will also oversee its execution.
Commissioner Shekhar Singh instructed concerned departments to expedite the clearance of encroachments—such as hoardings and unauthorised stalls—that could hinder construction. He also highlighted the need for integrated planning of underground infrastructure including sewage systems, water pipelines, stormwater drains, and electrical lines, ensuring the new road network is durable and future-ready.
“All departments—encroachment removal, water supply, drainage, licensing, electricity, and regional offices—must work in synchrony to complete the project within a set timeframe,” Singh emphasized during the meeting. He also urged PCMC staff to provide complete assistance to NHAI during the execution phase.
Commenting on the project’s impact, Additional Commissioner Pradip Jambhale Patil stated, “Widening of these service roads will significantly ease traffic congestion on NH-48. It will divert local traffic off the main highway, streamlining overall vehicular movement within the city.”
