Seeking to end VIP culture, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitu Gadkari on Saturday said that he is planning to put an end to sirens on VIP vehicles Significantly, Minister Gadkari was addressing the public during the inauguration ceremony of Pune’s Chandni Chowk flyover.
The highly anticipated Chandni Chowk of Pune, also known as the Multi-Level Flyovers project was inaugurated by Gadkari.
According to Gadkari, a total of 4 flyovers, 1 underpass widening and 2 new underpasses have been constructed in this entire project. The Chandni Chowk flyover project aims to decongest traffic in Maharashtra’s Pune city, Gadkari added.
Speaking on the notice pollution issues, Gadkari said, “Controlling sound pollution is very important. I am lucky that I got an opportunity to end the red light (beacon) on a VIP’s vehicle. Now, I am planning to put an end to sirens on VIP vehicles.”
Gadkari said that he wants to replace the sound of horns, sirens with the soothing music of Indian musical instruments like Basuri (flute), tabla, and ‘shankh’.
At the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were also present, along with other local leaders.
“The main problem of traffic congestion in Pune city and district will be solved due to this bridge which is 16.98 km long and costing Rs 865 crore. Under this project of total length of 16 km, the work of 2.2 km long Chandni Chowk Interchange has been completed. Both sides of the Mumbai-Bangalore highway have 2-lane internal and 2-lane external service. A total of 8 ramps have been constructed to go in 8 different directions from the same interchange, which will provide strong connectivity to various areas.” Gadkari said.
This multi-level flyover has been built to alleviate the traffic chaos in the Pune Bangalore highway NH-48 and the nearby local area of the highway.
It has been five years since the foundation stone was laid for this project. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 865 crore, with contributions from the state government and the Pune Municipal Corporation.
Chandni Chowk served as a major junction connecting various areas such as Bavdhan, National Defence Academy, Pashan, Mulshi Road, Paud Road of Pune city, and the Mumbai- Bengaluru bypass. Traffic chaos on the highway compelled the civic body to plan the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk.