Pune: The Hadapsar area of Pune is grappling with severe traffic problems caused by narrow, deteriorating roads, widespread encroachments by businesses on footpaths and main roads, a lack of proper parking facilities, and ineffective administrative control.
As a result, the traffic situation in the area has become increasingly chaotic, causing significant distress to local residents and commuters.
On the Pune-Solapur highway, from Magarpatta to Shewalwadi and Manjari Farm, businesses have encroached on footpaths and the main road, leading to frequent traffic jams.
Notably, in front of textile shops in the Ravi Darshan area, vehicles are often parked illegally, blocking the roads. With no designated parking spaces available, vehicles are being parked wherever space is found, further obstructing the flow of traffic on the highway.
The region's traffic problems are exacerbated by a combination of poorly maintained internal roads, encroachments on both sides of the streets, potholes, vendors selling goods on the roads, and wrong-way traffic on one-way streets.
Additionally, unauthorized rickshaw stands contribute to the congestion. This has made daily travel in the area frustrating for residents, especially on key roads like Sasanenagar, Mahadevnagar-Manjari Road, Magarpatta Road, and Malwadi Road, which experience traffic gridlock regularly.
The one-way road from Sasanenagar to Hadapsar witnesses a significant amount of wrong-way traffic daily, yet there has been no action from authorities to address the issue.
Residents accuse both the municipal and police administrations of neglecting traffic management and failing to provide necessary infrastructure to mitigate the problem.
"Action must be taken against vendors encroaching on footpaths, and proper parking planning is essential," said Rajesh Khande, Senior Police Inspector of the Hadapsar Traffic Division.
"We have stopped unauthorized rickshaw traffic in the wrong direction from Gandhi Chowk to Sasanenagar. We take daily action against fruit sellers and other businesses operating directly on the highway and internal roads.
Although there has been a shortage of 20-25 personnel due to the division of police stations and election training, ten officers will return tomorrow, improving our ability to control the traffic situation."
