Pune: A recent tragic accident at Gangadham Chowk has once again underscored the growing concern among residents of Pune’s NIBM, Mohamadwadi, Undri, and Pisoli neighborhoods over the unmonitored passage of heavy vehicles through their residential zones. These areas, witnessing rapid urban development, are increasingly frequented by large construction trucks and water tankers navigating narrow and poorly maintained internal roads.
The fatal incident has cast a spotlight on the glaring gaps in urban infrastructure planning and the lax enforcement of traffic regulations in these burgeoning suburbs. Despite being home to 14 prominent schools within a 5-kilometre radius—drawing thousands of students every day—the road infrastructure remains inadequate and traffic control efforts insufficient.
On Saturday afternoon, a large truck carrying construction material became immobilized on a steep incline near D-Mart, close to Vibgyor High School in the NIBM Annexe. The obstruction led to severe traffic congestion, paralysing movement along a key road for over an hour. School buses and daily commuters were left stranded amid the chaos.
Frustrated residents, who already contend with routine traffic snarls and rising safety hazards, are now calling for urgent intervention by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pune Traffic Police. They have demanded fast-tracking of long-overdue road repairs and widening projects, strict regulation of heavy vehicle transit during school hours, and the establishment of designated alternative routes for construction-related transport.
“We support development, but not at the cost of our children’s safety or our mental peace,” said a local resident, echoing a sentiment shared widely in the community.
Despite multiple complaints and formal appeals for infrastructural upgrades, citizens claim that tangible action has been lacking. With public anxiety mounting and repeated incidents putting lives at risk, the call for a well-thought-out and sustainable traffic management strategy is becoming increasingly urgent. Residents are now hoping that decisive measures will be taken before another tragedy occurs.
