Pune: Traffic Chaos Returns At Gangadham Chowk As Heavy Vehicles Flout Safety Measures
Pune: Traffic Chaos Returns At Gangadham Chowk As Heavy Vehicles Flout Safety Measures
Pune, July 19, 2025: Efforts to improve traffic safety at Gangadham Chowk in Pune have faltered just weeks after being implemented. The measures, introduced following a fatal accident on June 11 that claimed the life of a 29-year-old woman riding pillion on a scooter, initially brought relief to commuters but have since lost effectiveness, raising alarm among residents.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, authorities installed height barriers to restrict heavy vehicle movement, set designated travel timings for trucks, and deployed traffic police at the junction. However, locals report that these steps have failed to sustain their impact.
“Improvement was short-lived. Heavy vehicles are now bypassing the barriers by taking a diagonal route, and there is no consistent police presence during peak hours,” said Atul Jain, a member of the Kondhwa Development Forum.
Residents are demanding urgent action to close the exploited gap, enforce strict penalties for violations, and install CCTV cameras to monitor the junction.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said additional traffic police have been deployed to monitor violations and ensure commuter safety. A senior traffic official added that plans are underway to coordinate with civic authorities to redesign the junction and install surveillance systems.
