Private buses choke major roads in Pune causing inconvenience to commuters
Private buses choke major roads in Pune causing inconvenience to commuters - Pune Pulse
By: Pune Pulse
November 11, 2023
Pune: During holidays, the city streets are crowded with cars and private buses heading to various destinations such as Solapur, Ahmednagar, Mumbai, Nagpur, Wardha, Chandrapur, Nanded, Nashik, Satara, Kolhapur, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. With no designated parking areas for these buses, they often end up being parked on the main roads, hampering the smooth flow of traffic and causing inconvenience to commuters.
The issue of traffic congestion is particularly severe at the exit points along the Solapur highway in Hadapsar, the Kharadi bypass junction on Nagar Road, and the Sangamwadi bus stand. Unfortunately, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has not been able to find a solution to this problem. As a temporary measure, the police often try to direct traffic into a single lane, but their efforts are often unsuccessful.
The problem of traffic congestion not only inconveniences commuters but also disrupts the smooth flow of traffic. On Wednesday, there was a significant traffic jam for a few hours due to an unexpected increase in bus operations. The buses had to manoeuvre through the haphazardly parked vehicles beneath the flyover to reach Sangamwadi Road.
Additionally, citizens also face the issue of high fares due to the rush during the festive season. Authorities should take immediate action as not everyone can afford such high prices. Despite the authorities’ assurances of taking action, there seems to be no visible change on the ground in the city. Pune’s traffic deputy commissioner of police, Vijaykumar Magar, has mentioned efforts to regulate the movement of private buses gathering at Sangamwadi and Kharadi bypass.
Despite attempts to direct these buses into a single lane, their presence along the main roads causes significant traffic congestion. The traffic police have been in discussions with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to allocate a dedicated area for these buses. In Hadapsar, they are exploring the possibility of acquiring a private plot, which would require development by private parties.
The civic administration is actively working to reduce road congestion, particularly during the festive season. These spaces are located between Gunjan Talkies and Shashtri Nagar, aiming to alleviate road congestion and provide a safe boarding area for commuters. In Hadapsar, negotiations are still underway with a private landowner to secure a parking spot for the buses.
