Pune: Viman Nagar One-Way System Gets Final Approval From Traffic Police; Mixed Response From Residents And Traders
Pune: Viman Nagar One-Way System Gets Final Approval From Traffic Police; Mixed Response From Residents And Traders
Pune, December 1, 2025: The Pune City Traffic Department has officially issued a final notification implementing a permanent one-way traffic system across key stretches in Viman Nagar. The decision follows a trial phase conducted under the Airport Traffic Division and a review of public objections and suggestions received during the period.
According to the notification dated November 15, 2025, issued under the Motor Vehicles Act Sections 115, 116(1)(A)(B), 116(4), and 117, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav confirmed that the one-way system will now be enforced, excluding vehicles under essential services such as fire brigade, police, and ambulances.
Final One-Way Routes Notified
The following roads under the Airport Traffic Division will now operate as one-way routes:
- Shree Krishna Hotel Chowk → Dattamandir Chowk → CCD Chowk
This stretch will function as a one-way corridor to streamline vehicle movement. - Gangapuram Chowk → Kailas Super Market Chowk → Ganpati Mandir Chowk
This route has also been designated as one-way to reduce congestion.
Two-Way Traffic To Continue
The following internal connectors will continue operating as two-way roads:
- CCD Chowk → Gangapuram Chowk
- Dattamandir Chowk → Kailas Super Market Chowk
- Ganpati Mandir Chowk → Shree Krishna Hotel Chowk
The Traffic DCP has instructed the Pune Municipal Corporation to install appropriate signage within seven days and submit a compliance report.
The decision has received mixed responses. While several residents are in favour of the decision, there are many residents who want the Traffic department to roll back the decision as it’s not hampering the businesses but also ignoring the basic issues of encroachment.
Residents Representing Vnagar Samasya Group Are In Favour Of One Way:
“The Vnagar Samasya Group believes the new traffic trial has been a significant success for residents. We suffered daily gridlocks that caused travel times to consistently exceed 30 to 40 minutes for a distance of just one kilometer. The new system has demonstrably improved flow and stability.
Regarding the claims of opposition: While we are sympathetic to the immediate concerns of some shopkeepers, lasting traffic discipline always benefits the local economy in the long run. We believe the concerns are short-sighted and do not reflect the overwhelming relief felt by the commuting residents.
“The crucial civic issue is this: The remaining congestion is not due to the one-way system. It is due to severe illegal encroachment where unauthorized temporary establishments are illegally consuming public road space. We strongly urge the PMC and the Traffic Police to launch an immediate anti-encroachment drive to clear this. The solution lies in enforcement, not in abandoning a traffic plan that is finally working.” – Anita Hanumante, Admin, Vnagar Samasya Group
Anagha Dhara, a resident of Lunkad Valencia, Viman Nagar – “I have been living in Viman Nagar since 1988. The increasing traffic jams at key junctions have made travel times unpredictable, affecting daily life and creating cascading impacts across the area. From my perspective, The recent changes have improved traffic flow, giving residents predictable travel times and reducing the frustration of being stuck in jams. While shopkeepers may face initial disruptions, the traffic changes could attract new customers, benefiting businesses in the long run. Any adjustment comes with short-term inconvenience, but the long-term gains are significant and should be considered.”
A major contributor to congestion remains road encroachments, which have persisted for years. Addressing these would not only provide safe pathways for pedestrians but also ease pressure on the roads.
“As the owner of Khalsa Dairy and Sweets in Viman Nagar, I want to clarify that reports claiming the business community is against the new one-way traffic system are false. Earlier, constant jams kept customers away and made it difficult for them to stop. The one-way flow has reduced chaos, improved movement, and made quick visits easier for customers. What we truly need now are proper parking markings, speed controllers, and signals at all junctions.”
— Sohan Singh Sona, Khalsa Dairy and Sweets, Viman Nagar
Geeta Upadhyay, former Secretary of Lunkad Amazon, strongly supports the one-way system as it was long overdue. Residents have suffered daily traffic jams for years, and reversing this decision would be unjust to those who rely on smoother, safer movement. The main obstruction is the long-standing encroachment in our internal lane. Despite repeated complaints, the issue remained unattended. With footpaths occupied, vehicles parked on both sides, and pedestrians forced onto the road, congestion is inevitable. Clearing these encroachments is crucial to ensure the one-way system delivers its full benefit.”
“The Vnagar Samasya Group believes the new traffic trial has been a significant success for residents. We suffered daily gridlocks that caused travel times to consistently exceed 30 to 40 minutes for a distance of just one kilometer. The new system has demonstrably improved flow and stability. We strongly urge the PMC and the Traffic Police to launch an immediate anti-encroachment drive to clear this. The solution lies in enforcement, not in abandoning a traffic plan that is finally working.”
– Sandeep Singh, Chairman, Konark nagar Cooperative housing society limited
Viman Nagar Traders Oppose Sudden One-Way Traffic Plan
A sudden implementation of a one-way traffic system in Viman Nagar has triggered strong opposition from local traders, who claim the new restrictions have severely affected their businesses. The one-way plan, introduced on November 19, 2025, covers several internal roads including Gali No. 12 (Santosh Eknath Deokar Path), Gali No. 29 (Late Gopalrao Mahadev Shinde Marg), Gali No. 6, Gali No. 3, Gali No. 22 (Babulal Phulchand Lalwani Path) and adjoining stretches.
In a letter addressed to Pune City Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Bharatiya Janata Party Cultural Cell liaison head for Maharashtra, Vidya Akshay Pokale Patil, highlighted the growing concern among nearly 200 shopkeepers operating along these roads. According to the traders, around 80 percent of the shops are run by tenants paying monthly rents between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakh. The sudden traffic diversion, they say, has resulted in a significant drop in customer footfall within just three days.
The traffic police reportedly introduced the one-way system to ease congestion at Dattamandir Chowk. However, traders argue that the move has instead created economic distress, warning that many shops may be forced to shut down if the plan continues.
The letter urges authorities to immediately restore the original two-way traffic system and reopen the Dattamandir Chowk signal. It further requests the deployment of traffic police personnel and traffic wardens during peak hours to manage congestion without disrupting commercial activity.
Umesh Magar, a shopkeeper from the area informed Pune Pulse that despite writing to the Pune Traffic Police, our objections or suggestions were not heard. Ever since the one way implementation began our businesses have impacted badly. If this continues, we have to shut down the businesses.
