Kasarwadi flyover develops cracks

Pune: Some of the pillars of Bharatratna JRD Tata flyover at Kasarwadi have started developing cracks, four years after it was thrown open to the public, thus posing a danger to commuters and shops below the flyover. 

However, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has shrugged it off, claiming that no such danger existed as it has been maintaining the flyover regularly.

The flyover is located at the Kasarwadi junction, where the Pune-Nashik Highway meets the Mumbai-Pune Highway. Now, some of its pillars have huge and vertical cracks on them.

Akash Dhanurkar, a resident of Prarthnadeep Housing Society, Kasarwadi, said, “Recently, I noticed these cracks, which are posing danger to people as the flyover could collapse any time.”

Suresh Malik, a tea stall owner near Kasarwadi railway station, said, “I have been noticing these cracks for the past six months. Four to five pillars have got cracks, which are visible from here.”

Denying any such threat, Ambadas Chavan, City Engineer, PCMC, said, “We have been maintaining the flyover regularly.” 

Fears and claims by the media and residents are wrong, he said and disconnected the telephonic conversation abruptly.