Pune's Wagholi Set for Road Upgrades: DPR Process Begins
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for three key roads in Wagholi, a rapidly urbanising suburb that officially came under PMC limits in 2023. The move aims to address long-standing civic concerns regarding poor road infrastructure, traffic bottlenecks, and inadequate connectivity in the area. As Wagholi continues to grow as a residential and commercial hub, the DPR marks a step toward integrated urban mobility planning.
The three major roads being prioritised in the DPR are vital links within Wagholi, a locality that has witnessed exponential growth but remained neglected in terms of planned infrastructure. For years, residents have raised concerns over narrow lanes, pothole-ridden stretches, and waterlogging during monsoons. The recent absorption of Wagholi into the Pune Municipal Corporation brought hope for improved urban services. Officials have now confirmed that the DPR will incorporate modern road-building techniques, climate resilience, and provisions for non-motorised transport infrastructure such as footpaths and cycle tracks. Civic planners are reportedly factoring in future traffic volumes and the area’s role as a key connector to Pune’s IT corridors and airport access routes. This development is expected to enhance regional mobility, reduce daily congestion, and improve safety in a neighbourhood increasingly dominated by residential societies, schools, and commercial establishments. Stakeholder consultations and technical surveys have been initiated to shape the DPR framework.
Experts suggest that Wagholi’s integration into PMC presents an opportunity to correct the legacy of haphazard, developer-driven urban expansion. The upcoming DPR will aim to transform the region’s arterial roadways into well-structured, climate-adaptive corridors. The plan is likely to include upgraded stormwater drains, road widening, improved turning radii at junctions, and smart lighting. Given Wagholi’s role as an eastern gateway to Pune, enhancing its road network will also have city-wide implications, potentially easing pressure on arterial routes like Nagar Road. Local authorities have emphasised the need to align the DPR with Pune’s broader mobility plans, including multi-modal transport and last-mile connectivity to upcoming metro stations.
Residents, who have long struggled with poor accessibility and commuting delays, are optimistic but cautious. They hope the planning exercise results in timely execution, rather than just another proposal on paper. Completion of the DPR will be followed by administrative approvals and budget allocation. The drafting of a DPR for three main roads in Wagholi signals Pune’s intent to bring the suburb into the fold of modern urban planning. While it marks only the first step in a longer process, the focus on upgrading core infrastructure is crucial for improving everyday life and mobility in one of the city’s fastest-growing regions. If backed by adequate funding, community engagement, and transparent timelines, the project could set a precedent for integrated development in newly merged municipal zones. As Wagholi transforms, the success of this DPR will be closely watched by planners and residents alike.
