The Times of India  18.08.2010

PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has invited bids for the Empire Estate flyover near the Pune-Mumbai highway. It is estimated to cost Rs 99 crore.

Dilip Kudale, co-ordinator, engineering department, PCMC, said, "The no objection certificate (NOC) from the World Bank was received on Monday. As a result, bids on an international level have been invited for the project from August 18 to October 1."

The construction of the flyover will be financed by a loan from the World Bank (WB). The civic body had prepared a design of the proposed flyover, which was approved by the WB recently.

Kudale said, "The flyover near Empire Estate, on the old Pune-Mumbai highway, is part of the 10.2 kilometre long, 45 meter wide bus rapid transit system (BRTS) corridor from Kalewadi to Dehu-Alandi.

"Crash barriers will be erected along the flyover to prevent vehicles from falling down. Sound barriers will be erected along the stretch of the flyover that passes through the Empire Estate society to reduce the effects of noise pollution due to vehicles," said Kudale.

"The flyover will begin in Kalewadi, cross the Pavana river, Pimpri-Chinchwad link road, Pune-Lonavla railway line and the old Pune-Mumbai highway and end near Autocluster in Chinchwad. A ramp will be built near the Autocluster corner for vehicles going toward Pune. The project has to be completed within 30 months," added Kudale.

The residents of the Empire Estate a group of housing societies with around 7,000 residents, located along the Pune-Mumbai highway have opposed the flyover project citing that railway over bridges (ROBs) at Pimpri and Chinchwad already enable vehicles to cross railway tracks. The residents also feared that the flyover will increase noise and air pollution.