Pune: Flyover wing ready but BJP, NCP spar over inauguration

Meanwhile, a grade separator in the same area, for which only finishing touches remain, is said to be part of the same tussle, PCMC officials added.

The newly built flyover at Sai Chowk. (Express photo: Rajesh Stephan)

Part of a flyover at Sai Chowk near Pimple Saudagar, for which construction had been in progress, is now ready for vehicular traffic. However, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) sources said that it is still out of bounds because of a tussle between the ruling BJP and the NCP over who should inaugurate the structure.

Meanwhile, a grade separator in the same area, for which only finishing touches remain, is said to be part of the same tussle, PCMC officials added.

Once they are inaugurated, the flyover’s wing and grade separator are expected to ease a major traffic bottleneck for vehicles from Pimple Saudagar, Aundh, Kalewadi, Thergaon and other nearby areas. Work on the two structures had started three years ago. The flyover was constructed by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Newtownship Development Authority (PCNTDA), while the grade separator’s work was undertaken by the PCMC.
The PCNTDA first constructed one wing of the flyover from Ravet to Aundh, which was opened to vehicular traffic last year.
“I don’t when it (the second wing) will be thrown open to the vehicular traffic, our CEO will take the call,” said PCNTDA executive engineer Prabhakar Vasaikar. The flyover was constructed at a cost of Rs 22 crore.
As for the grade separator, PCMC executive engineer Shrikant Savane, “We are still giving it the finishing touches.” He added that the grade separator will be thrown open to the public in a fortnight and denied that it was being held up for political reasons.
Both PCNTDA and PCMC officials said they were waiting for political leaders to inaugurate the flyover.
“I have already told the PCMC and PNCTDA to inaugurate the projects in public interest… We have urged them to inaugurate the works at the hands of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar,” said local NCP corporator Nana Kate.
BJP MLA Laxman Jagtap, in whose Chinchwad Assembly constituency both projects are based, said his party wants former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to inaugurate the project. “We will soon decide,” he said.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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