Viman Nagar Residents Demand Rollback of One-Way Traffic Plan, Cite Safety Risks and Business Losses

Pune, December 01, 2025: Residents, business owners and civic representatives from Viman Nagar have formally submitted a strong objection to the one-way traffic system introduced by the Pune Traffic Police on November 15. The complaint has been addressed to DCP Traffic Himmat Jadhav, Additional CP Manoj Patil, and Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, with senior officials of PMC kept in the loop.

The signatories have urged the Traffic Police to revoke the current one-way system and restore the original traffic flow, stating that the new arrangement has caused severe inconvenience, safety concerns and financial losses for local businesses. While acknowledging the police department’s efforts to streamline traffic, the residents said the new system is “one-sided” and has created more problems than solutions.

Residents expressed dissatisfaction with comparisons made by the Traffic Police to one-way systems on Tilak Road, FC Road and JM Road, pointing out that Viman Nagar’s topography and road structure are vastly different.

One of the key objections raised is that the plan was implemented based on a proposal submitted by the Surendra Pathare Foundation, whose founder is an aspirant in the upcoming municipal elections. Residents questioned the neutrality of such involvement.

Key Objections and Suggested Solutions

1. Full-Day One-Way Restrictions for Limited Peak-Hour Issues
Residents said that full-day one-way rules have been imposed despite congestion occurring mainly for three peak hours at Kailash Market Chowk, Datta Mandir Chowk and Gangapuram Chowk.
Suggestions:

• Deploy traffic wardens and police personnel during peak hours.
• Restart signals at Gangapuram and Datta Mandir chowks; install a new signal near Town Square.
• Position wardens at Nexa, Symbiosis School, Shrikrishna Hotel and Ganpathy Mandir junctions.

2. High-Speed Traffic Creating Safety Hazards
Residents reported that vehicles now move at dangerously high speeds between chowks, putting schoolchildren, senior citizens and pedestrians at risk.
Solution: Install IRC-approved raised pedestrian crossings with rumble strips.

3. Unregulated Parking Causing Jams
Parking on both sides of the road near Kailash Market and Datta Mandir Chowk is a major cause of congestion.
Solution: Implement P1/P2 parking and take strict action against tempos, bank jeeps, autos and vendor vehicles causing obstructions.

4. Lack of Parking Regulation Near Viman Tal Police Station
Residents said that despite the street being designated P1/P2, vehicles are parked on both sides.
Solution: Enforce stricter parking control to keep the narrow lane free.

5. Food Vendors Causing Evening Traffic Blocks
Areas near CCD Chowk, Phoenix Mall Road, Neco Garden, Ganpathy Mandir, Khalsa Dairy and Shrikrishna Hotel face jams due to cooked-food vendors and customer parking.
Solution: Traffic Police and PMC’s Anti-Encroachment Department must remove encroachments, especially after 7 pm.

6. Indisciplined Parking Outside Academies and Offices
Irregular parking near Oriville and commercial complexes like Solitaire and Panchshil is causing bottlenecks.
Solution: Direct building managements to restrict parking to basements; issue fines to non-compliant societies.

7. Excessive Detours for Daily Essentials
Residents said that basic errands now require long detours, even when the destination is only 100 metres away.
Solution: Traffic Police must consider the impact on seniors, children, working professionals and those with mobility challenges.

8. Financial Losses for Businesses
Local shops, establishments and vendors have reported declining footfall due to the impractical one-way system.
Solution: Revoke the one-way plan and restore normal traffic movement.

The residents emphasised that several workable solutions exist, and urged the Traffic Police to implement them without causing further hardship.

The statement has been signed by Qaneez Sukhrani, Convenor of Viman Nagar Citizens Forum, and Umesh Magar, representing business establishments. 

Local shopkeeper Umesh Magar expressed strong concerns over the one-way traffic trial, stating that the pilot implementation has already caused a significant drop in business. “I cannot imagine what will happen if this one-way system becomes permanent. I may even be forced to shut down my shop,” he said. Magar added that although the Traffic Police had invited suggestions and objections during the trial phase, the grievances raised by shopkeepers were not addressed. He believes the issue can be resolved by deploying traffic wardens during the evening peak hours for about three hours, instead of enforcing a full-fledged one-way system.