Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad’s Traffic Nightmare Enters Another Day: Republic Day Weekend Departures Show No Signs of Easing
Varad Bhatkhande
Pune/Pimpri Chinchwad, 25th January 2024: Residents of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad are grappling with relentless traffic congestion and inconvenience as the city braces itself for the upcoming Republic Day long weekend. With Friday being a public holiday followed by the weekend, the streets of these areas are witnessing a surge of people heading back to their native places or embarking on short outings to break free from their daily routines.
#Pune and #PimpriChinchwad's #Traffic Nightmare Enters Another Day: Republic Day Weekend Departures Show No Signs of Easing#MARATHAMORCHA pic.twitter.com/5qcrZncSNM
— Punekar News (@punekarnews) January 25, 2024
Known as the “Oxford of the East,” Pune district, adorned with numerous high-level educational institutions, attracts students from across the country and the State. As the holidays approach, many students return to their native villages to spend quality time with their families.*
In addition to the educational influx, industrial cities like Pimpri Chinchwad and areas housing major companies such as Hinjawadi, Kharadi, Magarpatta, Chakan, Bhosari, etc., witness a substantial influx of people from various parts of the state and country due to employment opportunities. These holidays provide an opportune time for them to visit their villages or explore popular tourist spots near Pune.
Popular bus pick-up spots like Swargate, Bhumkar Chowk, Nashik Phata, Katraj, Kothrud, Bhakti Shakti Chowk, etc., have experienced a surge in passengers searching for buses. Railway stations are also witnessing crowds as people strive to secure a place on trains for their journeys.
Roads are clogged with traffic due to a simultaneous outflow of people using their personal vehicles, cabs, and taxis. Highways are experiencing congestion as numerous individuals try to reach destinations like Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Sinhagad, Khadakwasla, etc. The problem is exacerbated as residents from Mumbai also travel to these places, adding to the traffic on Pune’s roads.
The traffic woes in Pune district have persisted for a week due to various reasons. Initially, numerous rallies were conducted over the last weekend until January 22nd to celebrate the Pran Pratishta event of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Unable to travel to Ayodhya, many celebrated at regional Ram temples in Pune. On January 23rd and 24th, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil, leading a reservation march towards Mumbai, received overwhelming support in Pune, causing further traffic chaos. With the current “long weekend” situation, Punekars find no relief from the ongoing traffic challenges.
