Pirangut Traffic Jams Worsen as Tourist Rush, Bus Stops Choke Pune–Kolad Road
Pirangut Traffic Jams Worsen as Tourist Rush, Bus Stops Choke Pune–Kolad Road
Drivers and residents face hours-long delays as weekend tourist inflow, unchecked bus halts, and rising vehicle numbers strain Pirangut–Ghotawade Phata stretch.
Traffic congestion in Pirangut and Ghotawade Phata has emerged as a daily ordeal for commuters and tourists travelling on the Pune–Kolad road, with long jams reported throughout the day, especially over the weekend. The situation has worsened since Sunday afternoon, causing frustration among motorists heading towards Mulshi, Tamhini Ghat, Lavasa and Konkan-bound routes.
Locals said traffic snarls intensified after 5.30 pm on Sunday as tourist movement increased sharply. Pirangut and Ghotawade Phata are key transit points for travellers heading towards popular weekend destinations, and the sudden spike in vehicle numbers brought traffic to a crawl. Several motorists reported being stuck for extended periods with little movement, particularly near Bhar Chowk and adjoining bus stops.
Police intervention provided only temporary relief. After local citizens alerted Police Inspector Datta Chaskar, traffic police personnel, along with police friends and volunteers, stepped in to manage the congestion. Traffic was eased for a brief period, but the problem resurfaced repeatedly through the day due to continuous inflow of vehicles.
One of the major contributors to the congestion is the practice of buses halting at Bhar Chowk and near Ghotawade Phata to pick up passengers. These locations serve as informal boarding points for commuters travelling to Paud, Kolwan, Ghotawade, Kharawade and nearby villages. When multiple buses stop simultaneously at narrow junctions, traffic bottlenecks form quickly, affecting all vehicles on the Pune–Kolad road.
The Pirangut ST stop and the intersection at Ghotawade Phata handle several busy routes connecting Mulshi taluka with Pune city. However, the lack of designated bays and enforcement has led to frequent road blockages. Regular commuters say the issue has persisted for months but becomes unmanageable during weekends and holidays.
Adding to the problem is rapid urbanisation and industrial growth in areas such as Pirangut, Urwade, Kasaramboli, Bhare and Ambadvet. Locals pointed out that the number of vehicles using the Pune–Kolad road has increased nearly fourfold compared to last year. Heavy vehicles, private cars, tourist buses and two-wheelers now compete for limited road space, leaving little margin for smooth traffic flow.
Residents have urged authorities to implement stricter traffic management measures, including regulated bus stops, staggered tourist movement, and better coordination during peak hours. Without structural changes, they warn that traffic congestion in Pirangut will continue to worsen, impacting daily commuters as well as the region’s growing tourism economy.
