Pune Traffic: Diwali rush and potholes trigger massive jams on Pune–Satara bypass
Pune Traffic: Diwali rush and potholes trigger massive jams on Pune–Satara bypass
Long queues of vehicles from Sutarwadi to Narhe left commuters stranded for hours as poor roads and festive traffic crippled movement.
As the Diwali rush peaked on Friday evening, major traffic congestion was reported along the Pune–Satara bypass, bringing movement to a crawl across key stretches including Sutarwadi, Bavdhan, Chandni Chowk, and Narhe. The jam, which extended for several kilometres, left thousands of commuters stranded for hours amid deteriorating road conditions and surging festive traffic.
Motorists reported severe delays due to large potholes caused by the monsoon and ongoing construction work, particularly around the Chandni Chowk area. Despite efforts to improve infrastructure, several ongoing projects have temporarily worsened congestion. The Pune Municipal Corporation had earlier instructed a halt to unauthorised road digging around Diwali, but heavy vehicle movement and unfinished repairs added to the chaos.
The festive season has also seen a sharp rise in private vehicles as citizens rush for Diwali shopping and travel, further burdening the city’s road network. Several commuters complained about the absence of traffic police in critical junctions, leading to disorderly vehicle movement and gridlocks.
Frustrated drivers and passengers took to social media demanding better traffic planning and alternative routes to manage the festive load. Officials have assured that measures will be taken to streamline movement and address pothole-related slowdowns over the coming week.
Disclaimer: This report is based on on-ground observations and commuter feedback. Traffic patterns and road conditions are subject to change based on ongoing civic and infrastructure works.
