Weekend Rush Chokes Pune-Mumbai Expressway Near Lonavala
Weekend Rush Chokes Pune-Mumbai Expressway Near Lonavala
Heavy traffic congestion was reported on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway near Lonavala on Saturday evening, causing frustration and delays for hundreds of commuters heading towards Mumbai. The traffic slowdown, which started building up by late afternoon, continued for several hours into the evening, turning what is normally a smooth ride into a tedious experience.
According to complaints received by Pune Pulse, commuters blamed the weekend rush as the primary reason for the bottleneck, with thousands of vehicles flocking towards tourist spots around Lonavala and Khandala. However, they also expressed deep dissatisfaction with the lack of traffic management on such high-density travel days.
“There was not a single traffic police officer or highway authority present to regulate or streamline the movement. Vehicles were stuck bumper-to-bumper, and some motorists were seen dangerously driving on the shoulder to bypass the jam,” said a daily commuter who frequently travels this route over weekends.
Several travelers noted that this has become a routine scenario every Saturday and Sunday, especially near the Lonavala exit and food plazas, yet authorities have failed to come up with any effective crowd-control or traffic management plan.
With the monsoon season approaching, concerns are rising among regular commuters that such unregulated traffic could worsen, leading to longer delays and even possible accidents. They urged the highway authorities and local administration to deploy sufficient personnel during weekends and implement a structured plan to ensure smoother travel for all.
The situation remains under observation, with no official response yet from traffic authorities.
