Fw: 2-tier flyover complex in Sancheti chowk / Engineering college area - Please keep on HOLD

[Prashant Inamdar]

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Prashant Inamdar

To: PMCMCO

Cc: Mahesh Pathak ; DCP(Traffic) ; CP, Pune

Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 7:13 PM

Subject: 2-tier flyover complex in Sancheti chowk / Engineering college area - Please keep on HOLD

Dt. 16-02-12

 

To

Mr. Mahesh Pathak

Municipal Commissioner

PMC

 

cc:

Ms Meeran Borwankar - Commr of Police, Pune

Mr. Vishwas Pandhare - DCP(Traffic), Pune

 

 

Dear Sir,

Subject : 2-tier flyover complex in Sancheti chowk / Engineering college area - Please keep on HOLD

 

PMC has recently launched the project of construction of a double decker flyover at COEP junction. It is reported that the massive flyover complex costing Rs. 68 crore includes a set of flyovers spanning the Sangam bridge, COEP chowk, Pune-Mumbai highway, Sangamwadi bridge, Sancheti chowk, Simla office chowk,  JM road. The flyovers are bound to affect the COEP (College of Engineering, Pune). As one of the alumni of COEP and also as a citizen of Pune, I am greatly concerned about the project and it's probable impacts. There are also serious doubts about the need and utility of such a flyover project.

 

A) CMP

PMC has prepared a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) and it is expected that all decisions regarding mobility matters be taken by PMC in line with the CMP. In this respect the following points need to be noted -

1) The proposed flyover complex is not  part of CMP

2) CMP clearly states that flyovers and grade separated crossovers may help relieve congestion at intersections temporarily but congestion comes back later at a higher traffic level. Also flyovers tend to merely shift the point of congestion from one location to another. (It thus follows that any decision about flyover should be taken very judiciously with due consideration of all relevant factors.)

3) CMP states following - While providing flyovers, it is very important that it does not result in traffic levels going up. This can be ensured by introducing measures that channelize future traffic growth towards public transport and NMT. Any effort at building flyover must be simultaneously accompanied by vastly improved public transport and NMT infrastructure.

4) CMP recommends that if a flyover is to be taken up at any intersection, it must be preceded by a thorough evaluation of alternative options. 

5) CMP specifies that Indian Road Congress (IRC) warrants for flyovers need to be checked beforehand

6) Ten locations as possible candidates for flyovers have been suggested in the CMP. However CMP states that it would be necessary to conduct feasibility studies taking into account various related factors discussed in the CMP and a full perspective of  the flyover's impact on the mobility corridor it lies on.

 

It appears that the flyover complex not being part of CMP is an afterthought. It is also not known whether recommendations of CMP with regard to evaluation of alternatives, compliance with IRC warrants, feasibitiy studies, impact studies ( to assess impact on traffic, pedestrians, road safety, environment, heritage..), public transport & NMT infrstructure etc. have been followed before taking decision about the proposed flyover project. For such projects it is also necessary to carry out cost-benefit analysis as public money is being utilized. Again not known whether any such analysis has been done. 

 

In case these necessary studies have been conducted, the reports giving data, analysis and findings should be publicized. Measures taken regarding improvement of public transport and NMT in the area should also be informed to the people.

 

B) Elevated metro

Another issue is about the Elevated metro rail which has been approved for Pune. The Vanaz-Ramwadi metro line proceeds along JM road and will take a turn at Sancheti chowk towards Sangam bridge. The flyover complex will impact the metro line alignment but no thought appears to have been given to this aspect.

 

C) Public consultations

A point of vital importance is that there have been no public consultations before deciding upon such a massive project. The flyover complex will very adversely impact COEP but they too have not been consulted prior to taking the decision.

 

D) Impact on COEP

COEP is a highly reputed technical institute with international standing which has been established more than 150 years ago. The college premises has heritage buildings. About 5000 students study in the Institute. There is need for proper ambience for the Institute to function and safety of students is also of paramount importance.

 

When the Institute was established there was no Mumbai Pune rail line or highway. Subsequently the rail line was built which occupied a large part of COEP land. The highway slashed through the COEP campus dividing it into two halves. The highway was widened thereafter further reducing the COEP campus area. It also made it unsafe for students to cross the road which they had to do to go from one department to another. Further COEP land is to be acquired for widening of the rail overbridge at Sancheti chowk. Thus COEP has been consistently losing land to this so called development and the campus area has already shrunk substantially from what it was at the beginning. Any further reduction would have a strangulating effect and make the proper functioning of the Institute difficult.

 

It is understood that COEP had earlier proposed a plan of podium to connect the two sides of the campus and underpass for vehicular traffic. This would have unified the two sides of the campus with safety for students. Not known whether PMC has responded to the plan.

 

Instead a double-decker flyover complex has been proposed by PMC which will require extensive road widening drastically eating up into the COEP campus. The flyover will be very close to the heritage buildings in the campus marring the facade. The road boundary will be very close to the college buildings affecting entry / exit and transit space. Large number of grand old trees will have to be cut. The disturbance to the academic activities due to the roads and flyovers coming too close to the buildings will be tremendous. All this is bound to adversely affect the status COEP presently commands as a prime Institute of national importance and international repute. It will be a grave loss for Pune if this happens.

 

E) Actions already taken

Some actions have already been taken or are under implementation in the area. PMC and Traffic Police had stated that these steps would solve the traffic congestion problem -

1) One way rotary plan Sancheti chowk - Barve chowk - Simla office chowk

2) One way on JM road

3) Grade separator at Sancheti chowk

4) Widening of rail over bridge between Sancheti chowk and Engineering college chowk

5) Grade separator at Barve chowk

 

It is surprising that even before full implementation of all above plans and assessing the combined results, PMC has decided to implement another high cost project with a network of flyovers. There is a big question mark on the utility of the proposed flyover complex - whether it is really required, whether it would deliver the claimed benefits, whether it would be safe for all road users - both vehicular traffic and pedestrians, cyclists....In fact it is apprehended that the flyover complex would seriously affect public transport commuters and pedestrians.

 

In view of above serious concerns, I request you to keep the flyover project under hold, first publicize all data, feasibility study reports, impact study reports, then have consultations with the public, experts, COEP and take final decision thereafter based on the consultations and inputs received.

 

Regards

Prashant Inamdar

 

 

 

[ashok datar]

Thanks Prashant for a comprehensive job . we look fwd to their response 

ashok datar

Prashant Inamdar

 

 

 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PTTF" group.
To post to this group, send email to ptt...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to pttfgen+u...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pttfgen?hl=en.

--
Ashok R.Datar
Mumbai Environmental Social Network

20 Madhavi, Makarand Society, S.V.S.Marg, Mahim-400 016
98676 65107/0222 444 9212 see our website : www.mesn.org

 I hear, then I forget.  I see, then I remember. I do, then I understand.