Special Correspondent
Pune: The incomplete Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor on Nagar Road has become a major source of accidents and congestion, leading to mounting frustration among commuters. Residents are calling for its complete removal as travel times for a mere 10-12 km stretch have skyrocketed to nearly 2.5–3 hours. The situation has worsened to the point where vehicle owners are questioning when authorities will take decisive action.
A recent incident involving an oil tanker getting stuck in the corridor during peak hours further amplified traffic woes. Despite ongoing efforts by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and police to address the congestion, accidents continue to occur. In an attempt to provide relief, the PMC removed the corridor between Gunjan Talkies Square and Hyatt Hotel, allowing regular traffic to pass through. However, commuters have seen little improvement in traffic conditions.
Encroachment Adding to the Chaos
Unauthorized structures and encroachments in Wagholi have further exacerbated congestion along Nagar Road. While the area falls under the municipal corporation’s jurisdiction, some portions are managed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), leading to confusion over accountability. Following a directive from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, anti-encroachment drives have commenced, and residents believe clearing these obstructions will significantly improve traffic flow.
Urgent Need for a Flyover
A flyover is seen as a crucial solution to ease congestion, particularly in high-traffic zones such as Wagholi, Kharadi, Vadgaon Sheri, and Kesnand Phata, where vehicles turning at junctions create major bottlenecks. A flyover at Wagholi Square has been proposed, but commuters are anxiously waiting for its construction to begin. Meanwhile, reckless driving and heavy vehicle movement continue to contribute to frequent accidents and fatalities.
With Lohegaon Airport now operating as an international hub, traffic on Nagar Road has surged. The increased movement of private vehicles—both from Pune city and surrounding districts—has placed further strain on an already overloaded road network. Additionally, the newly introduced VIP road has intensified congestion in the area.
No Alternative Routes in Sight
The absence of alternative routes forces all traffic onto Nagar Road. While the internal ring road remains incomplete, another proposed alternative—the Shivane-Kharadi Riverbank road—remains in limbo due to stalled land acquisition. If completed, this route could significantly divert traffic, alleviating congestion. However, bureaucratic delays have left commuters with no choice but to endure the daily gridlock.
Traffic Police Interventions
The traffic police have been actively working to manage the situation. While they initially pushed for the complete removal of the BRTS corridor, opposition from Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) prevented its full dismantling. However, a survey-driven partial removal has offered some relief. Authorities have also implemented restrictions, such as banning heavy vehicles during peak hours and limiting turns towards Yerawada from Viman Nagar.
While authorities deliberate on the next steps, residents continue to grapple with long travel times, heavy congestion, and increasing frustration. Whether the removal of the BRTS corridor and infrastructure improvements will bring relief remains to be seen.
