PUNE: The proposed Paud phata - Balbharati link road will have only a marginal impact on the flora and fauna on the stretch it would pass through, as per the civic body's revised environment impact assessment report. The 2.1 km road will pass through a hill known for its rich biodiversity and also its popularity among locals for morning walks. As per the assessment report, the project would be non-polluting and an environmentally sustainable one.
The environment impact assessment and the traffic survey study report, prepared by Shrishti Eco-Research Institute for PMC, states that the objective of constructing the road is to reduce the traffic load on Law College road and to avoid losses, delays and air pollution resulting from congestion on the road. The link road originates at Kalewadi junction on Paud road and reaches Bal Bharati traversing a hill.
The report has stressed on the need for this road as it would considerably reduce the congestion on Law College road. "The carrying capacity of the Law College Road is completely exhausted due to ever-increasing traffic volume," the report states, making a case for exploring alternatives in the form of new roads. The report states that "after implementation of all the mitigation measures, the project can be considered as non-polluting" and that it will become environmentally sustainable.
The construction of the 2.1 km road was proposed by the Pune Municipal Corporation five or six years ago. Earlier this month, the municipal corporation posted a "revised" environment impact statement and traffic survey results study
for the proposed road on its official website. A senior official of the road department however, said that there are just some minor changes in the new report. A few months earlier, the PMC had already posted the report and only some changes have now been made, he said.
The report further adds that although the proposed road also has negative impact but they would be compensated for by the positive effect it would have on Law College road. more even though the positive effects on Law College Road are compensated.
Listing the possible environmental impact the project would have, the report states that there will be marginal impact on flora, fauna and watershed features during construction phase. While there will be temporary increase in vehicular movement and air pollution on the roads leading to the construction site, pollution after construction may reduce considerably. The report says there will be positive impact on the health of residents of Law College road as air pollution will reduce due to reduction of vehicular traffic.
It does note, however, that the construction or filling of ground will lead to accelerated erosion along the construction site.
According to the report, there will be significant social and economic impact of the project. "Social unrest due to congestion and accidents will reduce substantially on Law College road. A positive impact of the proposed road will be improved fuel economy (50 %) due to decongestion. The savings will be to the tune of Rs 6.5 crores per year considering only four-wheelers (using diesel), and two-wheelers (using petrol). The construction cost of the proposed road is Rs 24 crore."
PMC road department officials say most of the land which will be used for the construction of the land is privately owned. "There is no forest land. There is also no cutting of the hill,'' an official said.
