Phugewadi octroi post to shift

The company, which has its research centre at Phugewadi, urged the municipal corporation to construct the octroi post in such a manner that the company’s building was not concealed. It also suggested that the octroi post could have an imposing building and other features such as landscaping and a fountain. The company has since agreed to bear the cost of landscaping and other features and would also maintain it in future. The company would be able to project its image by placing advertisements suitably, at the landscape and the fountain. The municipal corporation has agreed to the proposal.

The PCMC was able to secure the land in May after a decision of the High Court. The land was reserved for the octroi post in the development plan. Of the total 7283 sq m land available, the octroi post and allied works will be completed on land admeasuring 5735 sq meters. The work is expected to incur a cost of Rs one crore and is likely to be initiated within the next couple of months. The PCMC has completed the work of levelling of the land.

City engineer S D Garade said that the building for the octroi post will be outside the 61 metre width of the highway stretch. Construction of concrete roads for parking of trucks near the post has been proposed in the plan. The building will have a small godown, a canteen, and a weighing machine, besides ample space for the functioning of the office staff. The PCMC has prepared the basic building plans with the relevant facilities. Now the PCMC has invited proposals from architects and builders for submission of plans to construct an imposing building.

The major hurdle caused by parking of trucks near the existing post which is a small office will be cleared once the octroi post is shifted to the new building. Numerous mishaps have occurred due to haphazard parking of trucks near the octroi post.