Pune: In a housing society in Bavdhan, residents thought, ‘Why not recreate Pune’s newest road attraction that everyone is talking about? ’ Then they gathered discarded materials from the building and individual households to repurpose and worked for eight days straight to bring a miniature Connecting Link to life.“The idea came after one of our team members, Vijay Bhosale, visited the Connecting Link and suggested it as this year’s theme. Every year, we choose something connected to Pune that is also trending. This year, the Connecting Link was one of the biggest talking points, both online and offline,” said resident Akshay Baijal, who was part of the 15-16 member team.The Connecting Link on Pune-Mumbai expressway opened in May quickly became an attraction, with motorists stopping to photograph its tunnels, elevated stretches and surrounding landscape. For some, driving on the Connecting Link just to experience it has become something of a novelty, Baijal said.The residents recreated the features that have made the route distinctive, including hills, tunnels and greenery. The installation was built with discarded boxes, drums, sacks and construction material left over after recent painting work at the building.“We made the hills and tunnels from discarded material. Then we sprinkled mustard seeds and wheat grains on it and watered it every day for a lush verlvety green cover. We also made green rangoli to complete the look,” Baijal said.Every evening around 8.30pm, residents would come together after finishing the day’s work and continue until midnight or 1am. Tasks were assigned according to age and ability, with children helping with colouring and cutting paper, and others working with mud and construction material.“Everyone had a role. Children had a lot of fun creating the greenery and mixing the mud. The adults were focused on the measurements and technical calculations. It was very much a team effort. Every year we look forward to doing a project like this together before Ganeshotsav,” he said.Several residents who have already visited the actual Connecting Link told the team that the miniature version captured its look closely. But Baijal himself is yet to visit it. “Some residents are so excited after making this with their own hands that they now want to go and see the Connecting Link for themselves,” he said.
