Saturday, July 21, 2007

UoP Flyover - Now, Fly to Aundh!

The University of Pune flyover is finally open, and one can now literally fly into Aundh - and guess what, once you get onto the flyover, you have 3 different options to get down from it :) The first left prong takes you to Pashan/NDA, the next one to Baner/Aundh, and the third and final one to Aundh/Mumbai. Cool, ain't it?

We visited it late at night the other day, and it looked simply beautiful. The best thing about it are it's curves, and absolutely clean lines - unlike the unwieldy, burly giants that typical flyovers are, the UoP flyover, as well as it's two older and smaller cousins, the ESquare and Agricultural Chowk flyovers, are slim and sexy - and you can't help but oggle everytime you pass them!

While on the topic, have you noticed how the roads in Pune are much better this year? The PMC has taken it's job seriously finally - and inspite of heavier than usual monsoons, motorists are having absolutely no problems, unlike the last 2-3 years, when driving through Pune's roads was akin to life on the moon...

And as you drive by, you will notice that footpaths are coming up all over, clean dividers are making their presence felt, and hitherto single, dangerous lanes are quietly, but surely, turning into beautiful, shaded and tree-lines avenues...

Can you imagine Pune 5 years later? I can... the BRTS buses zooming around, a few sky bus lanes, cycle paths and footpaths with happy, young and old couples, beautiful cars zooming along freshly tarred and cobbled streets... mmmmm.. can't wait to see it!

5 comments:

Swati said...

The reason the fly overs, better roads, footpaths etc got a push, is the upcoming Commonwealth Youth games, which is going to be held in Balewadi Sports Complex. It is fast approaching (2008 Oct) and the city needs to have a decent infrastructure to support it.. And that is solely the reason why the construction has happened at a fairly rapid pace. Hats off to Kalmadi for getting the Commonwealth games to Pune. Atleast it helped the city gain good infratructure.

I don't know about 5 years down the line, but bus service hasn't improved a bit in the last 4 years, I have been in Pune. I would be happier to see better/more frequent/affordable to common man, PMT buses rather than 'cool' BSRTC, sky bus etc. I travel 11 kms by bus daily and have seen that most people who commute by buses fall into lower middle class. They can't afford these cool stuff and can't own Lisa/Madhosh :-) So they definitely need 'normal' buses to be more frequent and better.

Ofcourse having the cooler stuff would prompt the middle class/upper middle class to travel by them, thus reducing traffic and pollution - which would be a huge plus for the city.

Siddhesh said...

Swati, I do not really agree with your comments...

For one, the Commonwealth Youth Games have just been announced, and most of the work we are talking about is part of the IRDP, the Integrated Road Development Program which was kicked off a long time before the CYG were awarded to Pune.

And if you really think about it, this is not a phenomenon restricted to Pune - this is happening all over India... including the setting up of the NHAI to take care of our highways, which have improved by levels of magnitude in just the last 4-5 years.

Coming to the BRTS, are you aware that these buses, though air conditioned, and luxurious, charge the exact same fare as the "normal" PMT buses? That they are meant for use by Pune's public, and not the elite? And that whether we talk about the skybus or the BRTS or the metro, these are all mass rapid transport systems, the emphasis being on rapid and mass, rather than luxury and elite? :)

Swati said...

Had replied yesterday.. probably didn't get submitted.

Anyway -

I don't know about the cost of BSRT bus as they don't ply in my area. My comment was based on AC buses in Mumbai which are 3 times the cost. So I take back my stmt.

I agree CYG was awarded later. I said the infrastructure development got a 'push' because of CYG!

And if BRTS, sky bus are being proposed as mass transport systems and PMC is concerned about the common people, then why not first improve the frequency of PMT buses? It would invovle lower costs to have more PMT buses plying than having separate infrastructure setup for BSRT/skybus + vehicle costs! Fancy stuff can come later.

Siddhesh said...

Well, now you are comparing a lot of different things that shouldn't be compared. The AC buses in Mumbai are part of a very different story, and I think they are great - I think the BEST and train infrastructure in Mumbai is super good, and I do not think it's really about needing more buses and higher frequencies in Mumbai. What is needed there are better buses for more comfortable travel, and the AC buses are just fantastic for those who travel into downtown from the suburbs, and can now afford to leave their cars home.

By the way, the skybuses and BRTS buses are coming to Mumbai too - as well as many other prime cities in India - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Goa and many others.

Is it really something that can be avoided by putting more buses? No! Because that solution only increases traffic on the existing roads, making bus travel even more unattractive - I would rather be stuck in my AC car than in a sweaty bus! Right? So we need better, faster public transport - and that is what India is now going for.

ps: do you know Mumbai is also going to start running AC local trains very soon?

Swati said...

Yes, I know the reason for AC buses in Mumbai and I thought BRTS is for the same purpose. That is why, in my previous comment, I said - 'I take my stmt back' :-)

And btw, traffic has increased in Pune because of the high number of two wheelers and cars! One PMT bus can hold 50 passengers and thereby reduce traffic due to 50 two wheelers!! Anyway, that is my opinion.

I am used to public transport in Mumbai as well and I would say well connected city is a sign of developed city. Check out the frequency and connectivity offered by public transport in Mumbai.. be it trains or buses.

Yes, I have heard about AC trains, metro plans etc in Mumbai and I am glad.. It is time the city moves onto better things..:)