Pune: Drivers and residents in Dhayari, Narhe, and Khadakwasla are grappling with constant traffic jams at the Dhayari Phata junction on Sinhagad Road.
The area, which serves as a critical passage for commuters heading to and from Pune’s industrial zones, is plagued by several contributing factors, including illegal encroachments by vendors, parked rickshaws, and a high volume of heavy vehicles.
Despite the chaos, the local administration has yet to take effective action, leaving the affected community to wonder when relief will come.
Drivers heading toward Dhayari and Narhe from the Sinhagad Road side must pass through the narrow Dhayari Phata underpass, where fruit and vegetable vendors occupy the roadside, further shrinking the available space.
Rickshaws parked along the road aggravate the situation, making it difficult for vehicles to pass smoothly. To make matters worse, vehicles coming from Khadakwasla often take a wrong turn onto Prayeja Society Road toward the Mumbai-Bangalore Highway, creating a bottleneck near the underpass.
The issue is further complicated by the presence of schools in the vicinity, which means a large number of students frequent the area. The influx of rickshaws from all directions, especially during peak hours, leads to daily traffic jams that can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Road encroachments by vendors and the lack of parking spaces force motorists to park on the road, worsening the gridlock.
Heavy vehicles, including containers, from the industrial zones of Narhe, Dhayari, and Nanded add to the problem. While the traffic department has stationed police personnel to manage the situation, they have been unable to control the growing congestion.
Frustrated residents are calling on the administration to devise a permanent solution to alleviate the traffic woes.
Primary Causes of the Congestion
Convergence of vehicles from all directions at the underpass.
Potholes on the road, making it difficult for vehicles to navigate smoothly.
The industrial nature of the nearby areas increases the number of heavy vehicles.
Wrong-way driving by vehicles exacerbates the issue.
Encroachments by vendors and parked rickshaws reduce the available road space.
Possible Solutions Suggested by Residents
Install traffic signals at the junction to manage the flow of vehicles.
Repair and improve road conditions by filling potholes on all sides.
Enforce stricter penalties for wrong-way driving.
Increase police presence during morning and evening rush hours.
Restrict parking of buses and heavy vehicles on service roads at night.
With commercial establishments surrounding the area, the lack of adequate parking forces customers to park on the street, adding to the congestion. Local residents believe that addressing the parking issue will resolve many of the problems.
The anti-encroachment department official Ayub Shaikh has promised that a thorough inspection of the area will be conducted, and any illegal structures under the bridge will be removed.
