Pune: The two-way vehicular movement is set to resume between Range Hills and Shimla Office junctions on University Road from next week, giving much relief to commuters who are forced to travel via a diverted route amid Metro works on the stretch. The traffic police department on Saturday said few hurdles in resuming two-way traffic still persisted, which would take some days to address. The two-way vehicular movement would be executed in phases, the police said.
The work on the Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar elevated Metro line is underway on University Road. Resultantly, motorists have to take a left turn at Range Hills Chowk and travel via a newly developed road from the agriculture college to reach Shivajinagar. Commuters said the travel time would reduce considerably with the elimination of diversions.
“Road users are spending a lot of time covering the distance from University Chowk to Shivajinagar. The Metro work on the stretch should be expedited,” Akshay Tithe, a commuter, said. Construction of the Metro viaduct and two stations are also proposed on the stretch from Range Hills Chowk to Shivajinagar.
The work on the stations is under way. Pashan resident Anup Sutar said the authorities needed to finish the work at University and Shimla Office junctions on priority. “These two chowks are major bottlenecks.
Even ambulances cannot find their way out,” he said. Officials from the traffic police said they had deployed wardens at crucial spots. “The volume of traffic .