Pune: Santosh Iyer, the Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, raised concerns about the increasing commute time for employees due to severe traffic congestion in Chakan, Pune.
The daily travel time for employees has extended by approximately one hour, forcing the company to revise its bus schedules. This additional travel time is impacting employees' work-life balance, reducing the time they can spend with their families.
The Mercedes-Benz production facility in Chakan is not alone in facing these challenges, as the traffic congestion in the area is affecting many industries.
While the traffic is manageable in the mornings, it worsens significantly during the evening rush hours. Iyer mentioned that the company has approached the government, urging immediate action to alleviate the situation. The government has promised improvements within the next 15 to 20 days, bringing hope for a reduction in traffic issues.
In addition to addressing the traffic concerns, Mercedes-Benz India recently unveiled two new models, the GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe and the CLE 300 Cabriolet AMG Line.
Iyer also noted that Pune has seen an 11% increase in Mercedes-Benz sales, with top-end models constituting a significant portion. The demand for Mercedes' electric vehicles is also on the rise.
Dilip Batwal, Secretary, Federation of Chakan Industries says, "To address the traffic congestion in Chakan, encroachments on roads have been removed. Immediate road widening is necessary, and the police need to provide more manpower for traffic regulation. Long-term measures should be prioritized to resolve the congestion issue."
S.N. Choudekar, Executive Engineer, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation stated, "Encroachments in Chakan Chowk have been removed. Heavy vehicles are prohibited from entering during company exit times.
Potholes on roads, including the one in front of the Mercedes-Benz plant, have been temporarily filled. Tenders for long-term pothole repair will be issued, and the work will be completed as soon as the monsoon ends."