Riverside Road Widening in Karvenagar to Ease Traffic Congestion.

Pune’s civic administration is set to widen Riverside Road near Rajput slums in Karvenagar, promising relief from frequent traffic jams. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials stated that the land earmarked for expansion belongs to a housing society primarily inhabited by retired government officials. The project aims to ease congestion, particularly benefiting two-wheeler riders.

“The widened road will help eliminate bottlenecks in these areas and reduce traffic jams, especially during peak hours,” said Sahebrao Dandge, a senior official in PMC’s road department. The expanded stretch is expected to open within a month.

Riverside Road is a crucial link in the 17-km Shivane-Kharadi corridor, which has faced delays since 2018 due to land acquisition challenges. Once widened, commuters from Kothrud, Karvenagar, Sinhagad Road, and Deccan will benefit from smoother traffic flow.

Local residents highlighted the entry point near Rajput slums—barricaded to restrict four-wheelers—as a major congestion spot. “The traffic is extremely heavy at this location. The administration must resolve these issues,” said Omkar Jadhav, a resident. Others pointed to the strain on infrastructure, with frequent waterlogging due to traffic-related pressure on drainage lines.

Riverside Road is a preferred route for commuters heading to core city areas, as it allows signal-free travel past Mehendale Garage Chowk, saving time and fuel.

PMC officials assured that road widening efforts, previously stalled due to land acquisition issues, will now be completed. A 200-meter stretch near the slums that remained unfinished since 2022 is also set for completion.

ET