Pune: Temporary Traffic Island Installed At SM Ghule Chowk In NIBM Annexe After Public Outcry; Citizens Demand Transparency And Legal Compliance
Pune: Temporary SM Ghule Circle In NIBM Annexe Reinstalled After Public Outcry; Citizens Demand Transparency And Legal Compliance
Pune, September 3, 2025: The SM Ghule Circle in NIBM Annexe, Mohamadwadi was reinstalled on Tuesday, September 2, after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had earlier removed an oversized, unauthorised version of the circle following strong objections raised by local citizens and activists.
The removal came in the wake of a civic expose on August 14, led by social activists Jaymala Dhankikar and Ashok Mehendale, who pointed out that the original circle was constructed without proper permissions, in violation of Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines, and without consultation with the traffic police department.
Residents had termed the earlier installation as arbitrary, illegal, and a threat to traffic safety, calling out the PMC’s lack of due diligence and transparency. They alleged that no traffic feasibility study was conducted, and that the size and location of the original circle created confusion and danger for commuters.
PMC’s response: A temporary trial
The PMC Road Engineering Department, in its statement, claimed that a letter had been sent to the Traffic Police Department requesting a survey and recommendation on the appropriate size of the circle in line with government norms.
PMC officials further clarified that the current installation is “temporary and on trial” for three months, during which citizen feedback would be taken into account before any permanent decision is made.
However, no public advertisement or notification was issued either by the PMC or the police to inform residents — a move citizens say goes against the principles of public interest and transparency.
Encroachments, visual pollution and legal violations
Adding to the controversy, citizens have raised strong objections to hawkers and illegal posters surrounding the traffic circle. Several aspiring political party workers and leaders have allegedly put up banners and hoardings near the circle, leading to visual pollution and obstruction of traffic signage.
Residents have cited the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations (BPMC) Act, demanding enforcement of Rule 244, which prohibits defacement of public spaces and mandates that any installation on public roads must not obstruct visibility or endanger commuters.
Citizen voices: “Follow the constitution or face legal action”
“We welcome the reinstallation, but it must be done lawfully and scientifically. The circle cannot become a hub of political showmanship or unauthorised commercial activity,” said activist Jaymala Dhankikar.
“Under no condition should PMC violate constitutional norms or IRC guidelines. If due process is ignored, we will be forced to take legal action,” added Ashok Mehendale.
Citizens have now demanded complete removal of encroachments at SM Ghule chowk, public consultation on the final design and strict adherence to traffic engineering protocols to ensure safety and legality.
The road ahead
As the three-month trial period begins, all eyes are on whether the PMC will genuinely engage with the public, enforce existing laws and ensure that critical urban infrastructure is designed with safety, legality, and transparency — not political expediency — at its core.
