Pune: The Somatne Phata toll plaza on the Pune-Mumbai highway has turned into a significant source of frustration for local residents.
Due to poor traffic management and inefficiencies at the plaza, commuters face frequent traffic jams, particularly during peak morning and evening hours.
Locals have expressed that the daily traffic snarls are causing them unnecessary mental stress, as they struggle to move past the toll smoothly.
The toll plaza, which connects to various nearby villages such as Shirgaon, Parandwadi, and Gahunje, witnesses heavy traffic flow as it serves not only the commuters heading to and from Mumbai but also local residents.
Unfortunately, mismanagement at the toll and inadequate lane capacity have exacerbated the problem, leading to delays that affect daily life, especially for students, working professionals, and essential service providers like milk suppliers.
Locals report that despite having valid passes for their vehicles, toll staff frequently stop them for unnecessary checks, demanding proof of residency.
This practice, they claim, leads to confrontations, particularly when drivers are accompanied by family members. The lack of consistency in how vehicles are treated at the toll adds to the frustration, as some vehicles pass without any checks, while others are stopped repeatedly.
One of the major concerns expressed by residents is the absence of a regular traffic police presence.
While police do assist with traffic control on certain days, their inconsistent deployment means that traffic often becomes chaotic, especially near the steep slopes of the Shirgaon junction, where sudden braking can result in accidents.
Accidents are also on the rise due to reckless driving by young motorcyclists who speed down the Pune-Mumbai highway in a dangerous manner.
The situation worsens during the operation of the Sant Tukaram Sugar Factory, which leads to a significant increase in traffic on Shirgaon road.
Residents believe that a combination of disciplined driving and better toll management is essential to preventing accidents and easing the flow of traffic.
The ongoing traffic jams are attributed to several factors, including a lack of discipline among drivers, inefficiencies by toll staff, insufficient lanes, and poor coordination between toll authorities and the police.
Locals have called for joint efforts by police and toll administration, alongside involvement from local panchayats, to address these issues and implement effective solutions.
Despite these challenges, both police and toll authorities have defended their roles.
Senior traffic inspector Mahendra Kadam stated that the toll administration should ensure the quicker passage of vehicles, while toll manager Mahadev Tupare argued that the presence of traffic police on a daily basis would help ease the congestion.
