Pune: The plan to shift away three PMPML bus stops around Katraj police chowkey to assist Metro works has been rolled back, just three days after authorities witnessed traffic chaos and hardships to commuters when they were moved.Now, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will come out with a revised plan that will then be sent to the city traffic police for approval.The three halts in Katraj servicing around 25 PMPML bus routes were shifted on a temporary basis on Wednesday this week in lieu of work on an underground Metro station in the area. Soon, it was observed that the new locations were not allowing sufficient circulating areas for the buses to manouevre, hampering the movement of other vehicles as well. Further, users found these new locations to be quite far from main roads.So, PMPML and Maha Metro on Friday issued a public notice, alerting commuters about the re-shifting of these bus halts back to their earlier locations.A Maha Metro official chose anonymity and said, “Since there were issues pertaining to overall movement of buses and commuters, a decision was taken to not go ahead with changes on an immediate basis at least.”The official added, “Although the movement of PMPML buses is going back to the earlier plan, Metro work proposed in Katraj will not halt completely. Work will go on in the available space without disturbing PMPML bus operations. The teams will simultaneously work out alternative options for setting up bus halts, keeping in mind the requirements of commuters.”Maha Metro this month started groundwork on the 5.4km long Swargate-Katraj underground Metro line, which has five Metro stations proposed in Padmavati, Balajinagar, Market Yard, Katraj and Swargate.Katraj is not the only location where Metro proposed changes in PMPML bus halts. As part of its work, bus stops were also shifted on a temporary basis from BRTS lanes to service lanes in some locations closer to Swargate.Regular commuters are bracing for more traffic disruptions during the Metro project’s execution. Vijay Kokate, a resident of Dhankawdi, said “The entire stretch from Swargate to Katraj Chowk is very busy, with major footfall of public and private vehicles throughout the day. PMC, Maha Metro and traffic police will have to identify locations for Metro work that have minimal impact on traffic flow. Katraj Chowk is among the top city locations where executing Metro work is going to be challenging because of significant traffic flow and lack of space.”According to Maha Metro officials, this line will be operational underground on the entire stretch. Barricading will be proposed only at locations of entry-exit points of Metro stations onto the roads above, and at locations of lowering of tunnel boring machines.Paud Road residents approach deputy CM Sunetra Pawar on Metro workResidents from the Paud Road area have approached deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar regarding proposed Metro work in the Paud Road-Kothrud garbage depot area. The citizens said they want changes in the line’s station plan and a revised design of a double-decker flyover planned here.
