“It took me more than four hours from Akurdi to reach home at Koregaon Park…”: Industrialist Rajiv Bajaj Shares First-Hand Account
"It took me more than four hours from Akurdi to reach home at Koregaon Park...": Industrialist Rajiv Bajaj Shares First-Hand Account
Pune at a Standstill; Unprecedented downpour turns city into a ‘Traffic Nightmare’
Heavy rains wreaked havoc in Pune on Wednesday, bringing the city to a near standstill with severe waterlogging and fallen trees disrupting traffic across several areas. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the city experienced very heavy rainfall between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM, leading to widespread chaos on the roads.
Several Pune residents took to social media to voice their frustrations, highlighting the traffic disruptions and severe waterlogging in various parts of the city. Many reported being stuck in traffic for over two hours, struggling to navigate through the flooded streets.
Industrialist and Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj also experienced the gridlock first-hand. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Bajaj recounted his ordeal: “I left my Akurdi office at 4:45 PM today and it took me more than four hours to reach home at Koregaon Park, which usually takes just 35 minutes.”
Bajaj pointed out the failure of traffic signals and the noticeable absence of traffic police on the roads, turning an already difficult situation into a nightmare for Pune residents. “This is vivid proof of the lack of accountability on the part of the government. At least I was in the comfort of my car, escaping the plight of those on foot, on two-wheelers, in vans and buses. It must have been traumatic for so many people,” he added.
The incident underscores the city’s urgent need for better infrastructure and traffic management, especially during extreme weather conditions. As Pune grapples with the aftermath of the downpour, many residents hope for swift action to prevent such a situation from recurring.
The Pune district administration has issued orders to keep schools and colleges in Pune city as well as Pimpri Chinchwad area closed today (September 26) given a heavy rainfall alert.
