Pune: Dange Chowk Grapples With Traffic Challenges; Police And PCMC ‘Planning’ Solutions

Varad Bhatkhande

Thergaon, 27th November 2023: Dange Chowk in Thergaon, a crucial junction in the Pimpri Chinchwad area, continues to be a point of concern for commuters despite the implementation of a grade separator in 2021.

The square serves as a primary intersection for those travelling to locations such as Pimpri, Chinchwad, Rahatani, Thergaon, Kalewadi, Wakad, Hinjawadi, Punawale, Ravet, Pradhikaran, Akurdi, Walhekarwadi, and also facilitates the connection to the Katraj-Dehu road bypass.

Following the completion of the flyover construction, an underpass was introduced to address persistent traffic congestion, eliminating the necessity for traffic signals at Dange Chowk. However, residents and commuters express growing concerns about safety due to the blind spots created by the bridge pillars. The complex traffic patterns at the junction increase the risk of accidents as vehicles approach from various directions.

Amol Bhanage, a Thergaon resident who commutes daily to his office in Hinjawadi, emphasized the necessity for a traffic circle at Dange Chowk. He stated, “Even though the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has constructed an underpass, vehicles approach it from various directions, posing a high risk of accidents.”

Mitali Diwekar, a resident of Wakad, who uses this route daily to commute to her college in Pune, said, “Because of the blind spot, we are afraid to go from here. People also do not follow the rules here, and there should be a traffic policeman here to keep them under control.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Bapu Bangar of Pimpri Chinchwad Police said, “The PCMC and the Traffic Police Department have made arrangements here. Drivers must follow the rules and drive with patience.”

However, citizens advocate for the installation of a signal at Dange Chowk to address the complex traffic dynamics.

Wakad Traffic Division’s Police Inspector Sunil Pinjan explained that signals are not practical at present due to the convergence of vehicles from multiple directions, narrow roads, lack of appropriate timing settings and the potential for increased traffic jams.

Earlier, the weekly market also used to cause traffic jams in Dange Chowk on Sundays. In this regard, Inspector Pinjan said, “Two to three weeks ago, we shifted the weekly bazaar here a little away, and since then, there has been no traffic jam due to the weekly bazaar on Sundays.”

He also mentioned, “The administration is planning to construct a circle and developing the square at Dange Chowk. If the circle is built here, the way we see traffic being well handled in Jagtap Dairy Chowk will also happen in Dange Chowk.”