Pune's University Chowk Flyover Baner Ramp to Open This Week, Easing Traffic
Commuters in Pune who regularly navigate the congested University Chowk area are poised to receive significant relief from persistent traffic snarls. Officials from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) announced on Monday that the Baner side ramp of the integrated double-decker flyover at this critical junction is expected to open to the public this very week.
Final Stages of Construction and Timeline
PMRDA chief engineer Rinaj Pathan confirmed that work on essential signage is currently underway, with the flyover section leading towards the Baner-Shivajinagar side targeted for completion by the end of the week. "The Pashan side will take longer as it will be completed within two to three months," she stated, highlighting the phased approach to the project's finalization.
Once fully operational, this ambitious infrastructure project is projected to substantially reduce travel time, fuel consumption, traffic congestion, and vehicular pollution along the corridor. PMRDA officials have reiterated these anticipated benefits, noting that nearly 90% of the overall construction is already finished, with the remaining ramp works now in their final stages.
Project Details and Historical Context
The 1.7-kilometer-long flyover, which opened its Aundh–Shivajinagar (E-Square) corridor to traffic in August 2025, features a unique integrated double-decker design. It includes three-lane up-ramps from Aundh, Baner, and Pashan that merge into a three-lane bridge, shared with the Metro corridor above. This innovative structure places the Metro on the upper deck and a dual-traffic flyover below, all built on a single-pier system.
The total length of the double-decker flyover, including ramps, measures 1,763.52 meters, with a viaduct length of 1,112.52 meters. A notable feature is the 55-meter-long steel girder installed at the main junction to facilitate smooth traffic management. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 277 crore.
This development comes after years of delays and significant preparatory work. In 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown, two existing single-lane flyovers at the junction were demolished with government approval and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) consent to make way for the current integrated structure. The demolition and construction were executed by Tata Projects Ltd (TPL), the contractor for the Metro concessionaire.
Commuters' Experiences and Delays
Local commuters have expressed that the opening is long overdue, citing severe daily inconveniences. "It takes nearly 45 minutes to cross University Chowk during peak hours," shared a daily commuter, who added that traffic congestion had worsened due to the pending ramp works. The delay in opening the Pashan side ramp has been attributed to challenges such as utility shifting and the repair of a leaking water pipeline.
Metro Trial Runs Progress
In related infrastructure news, trial runs for the Metro are ongoing on the PMRDA Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar line. While earlier runs covered only nine stations, officials now report that the entire 23-kilometer section has been traversed. "We are slowly conducting trial runs for the entire line. Metro stations along the corridor are currently in progress," an official explained. The full operations of the entire Metro line are touted to commence by April 2026, further enhancing Pune's public transportation network.
