Bopkhel Road: Discussions again point to road within CME as most ‘feasible’

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The CME had constructed a temporary bridge along the Mula river, but the point where the villagers get off is within the Ammunition Factory, Khadki. The factory officials said on Thursday that all the three options pertained to villagers using the land of the factory, and since it was a highly sensitive establishment, villagers could not be given access.

The meeting on Thursday was following an HC order which asked for a discussion of all stakeholders to find a feasible option for a defence civilian liaison. A final affidavit is expected to be put before the HC before September 9.

The meeting, which was chaired by Pune District Collector Saurabh Rao, were well represented by officials from the Ammunition Factory, College of Military Engineering, Khadki Cantonment Board, Defence Estate officers, officials from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, irrigation officials, officials from the town planning department, PCMC officials and officials from the HQ Southern Command.

“We had earlier suggested three options for the temporary road over the Mula river touching the land which belonged to the AFK. All the three options were turned down by the Ammunition Factory, citing security reasons. The options were discussed in detail as a final report had to be submitted to the HC by September 9,’’ said Rao.

There was an option of river-side road, a little away from the present road, however, that would fall within the red and blue flood lines and only if the elevated road is constructed permissions would be granted, stated irrigation officials. However, any other option would not be feasible technically, as well as financially, added the officials.

“It would take at least two years to construct it and the best option is the existing road. This can be given in lieu of an old village road which the CME had already used for construction,’’ said officials who attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, ahead of the affidavit to be submitted to the HC, the district administration would examine the pros and cons of all the options. Representatives from the political front representing the villagers also sought the assurance from the villagers that if the existing road was allowed within the campus then the villagers were willing to agree to the terms and conditions as well as follow all the security measures which would be enforced. “If this is so, then it is a win-win situation for both, villagers and CME,’’ said another official.

Villagers, that total up to around 17,000, had to go through several checks to reach Pimpri or Dapodi if they took the road within the campus. The route within the campus is 2.30 km and after the closure of the route, the villagers had to take a 12-km route – Dighi, Kalas, Shantinagar, Khadki – to access the highway.