Gadkari pushes for use of skybuses in Pune, opens Chandni Chowk flyover

Graviloft Technology, which is about retaining walls, is used for the first time in the country for the construction of Chandni Chowk flyover

The event was attended by several political leaders from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad apart from Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and Guardian Minister for Pune Chandrakant Patil. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari Saturday inaugurated the Chandni Chowk flyover which has been constructed at an expense of Rs 1,000 crore, aimed to decongest the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway at this entry point to the city.

On the occasion, Gadkari pushed for the use of skybuses in the city as public transport saying that the city’s roads have no potential for further expansion. He said that he has future infrastructure plans for the city with a cumulative expenditure of Rs 40,000 crore, including a ‘Westerly Bypass’.

“Pune roads have no scope for further expansion. I advise Ajit Dada Pawar and Chandrakant Patil to take a look at the presentation of the skybus. These buses have the capacity to carry 250 passengers and they travel through the air,” said Gadkari.

Also read | Pune BJP sees no value in my loyalty: Kothrud ex-MLA Medha Kulkarni in public outburst after poster ‘snub’

He said that while the work on the Chandni Chowk flyover was on, the Highways authorities were asked to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a Westerly Bypass.

“DPRs of several projects in Pune with an overall cost of Rs 40,000 crore are ready,” said Gadkari.

Gadkari said that there were several impediments in completing the Chandni Chowk project, mostly due to land acquisition issues.

Story continues below this ad

“I was insistent that new technology be used for Chandni Chowk flyover. Graviloft Technology, which is about retaining walls, is used for the construction of this bridge. This is for the first time in India this technology has been used and it has been successful,” said Gadkari.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories