Severe Traffic Gridlock at Bhumkar Chowk Near Narhe as New Year Tourists Flood Pune Routes
Severe Traffic Gridlock at Bhumkar Chowk Near Narhe as New Year Tourists Flood Pune Routes
Pune witnessed major traffic disruptions on key routes as New Year travel plans triggered an overwhelming surge of vehicles entering and exiting the city. One of the worst-hit locations was Bhumkar Chowk near Narhe, where commuters were left stranded for hours due to heavy congestion. The situation arose as thousands of tourists, especially from Mumbai, set out toward popular holiday destinations such as Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Kolhapur to celebrate the New Year.
The increased tourist movement significantly impacted the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, resulting in long traffic snarls across the Khandala–Bor Ghat stretch. To manage the growing congestion and maintain traffic flow, District Collector Jitendra Dudi issued official orders enforcing temporary traffic regulations. These changes will remain in effect until midnight on January 1, 2026.
As part of the traffic management plan, vehicles traveling toward Pune–Mumbai and Kamshet have been restricted from entering the Pavananagar market area. Authorities have introduced multiple diversions to ease pressure on overcrowded roads. Vehicles are being rerouted from Yelse Gram Panchayat Phata toward Shivli, Kothurne village, Malvandi Phata, Brahmanoli, and Waru Phata, before continuing through Javan Road and passing areas such as Phangane, Thakursai, Khadak Gevande, Javan, Chavsar, Morve, and Tung.
However, vehicles heading toward Pavananagar, Kalegaon, Ambegaon, Shindgaon, Pale, Dhamandhara, and Dudhiware have been permitted to proceed. Heavy and oversized vehicles are also allowed on these specified routes.
Several stretches have been converted into one-way routes to improve traffic flow. One-way movement has been enforced from Yelse Gram Panchayat Phata through Shivli and Kothurne, extending up to Brahmanoli via Malvandi and Waru Phata. Similarly, one-way traffic is operational from Brahmanoli Phata toward Shivli and onward to Yelse.
Local residents from Brahmanoli, Waru, Kothurne, and Shivli have been temporarily restricted from traveling toward the Yelse side. Instead, they are advised to use alternate routes via Waru Phata, Brahmanoli Phata, the Pavana River bridge, Kalegaon Phata, and Pavananagar market while traveling toward Yelse and Kamshet. To prevent congestion in the Pavananagar market area, the entry of heavy and oversized vehicles has been strictly prohibited.
Further restrictions apply to vehicles traveling from Tung, Morve, Chavsar, Javan, Khadak Gevande, Thakursai, and Phangane toward Pavananagar and Kamshet. Until January 1, 2026, midnight, these vehicles are barred from entering the Kale Colony–Pavananagar route. Instead, they are being diverted through Brahmanoli Phata, Waru Phata, Malvandi, Kothurne village, Shivli, and Yelse Gram Panchayat Phata toward Mumbai, Pune, and Kamshet. Exceptions remain in place for vehicles destined for Pavananagar, Kalegaon, Ambegaon, Shindgaon, and Dudhiware, as well as heavy vehicles.
Residents of Waru and Brahmanoli are also prohibited from accessing the Pavana River Bridge–Kale Phata–Pavananagar market route. They are being redirected through Waru Phata, Malvandi, Kothurne Phata, and Kothurne village toward Pavananagar market as an alternative.
The administration has appealed to citizens to follow the revised traffic arrangements, opt for alternative routes, and cooperate with traffic authorities. Officials emphasized that public cooperation is essential to ensure smoother travel and reduce inconvenience during the peak New Year travel period.
