Pune: Wakad’s Traffic Problem Prompts Urgent Plea from Residents as Dutt Mandir Road Remains Congested

Varad Bhatkhande

Wakad, 29th December 2023: The residents and daily commuters of Wakad, particularly those residing in the vicinity of Dutt Mandir Road, continue to grapple with persistent traffic issues, citing inconsistencies in the width of the road as the root cause.

The problem has prompted housing societies in the area, along with the Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Societies Federation (PCCHSF), to address the concerns with the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

The Housing Societies Federation and housing societies in the Dutt Mandir Road area initially raised the issue in 2022, but their appeal was reportedly ignored. Subsequently, on December 18, 2023, a renewed plea was submitted in the form of a letter from 22 housing societies in the region, addressed to PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh.

The letter focused on the widening issues of the Wakad Datta Mandir Road, stating, “We, a group of Cooperative Housing societies situated on this road, hereby bring to your attention that the execution work of the said road widening is not happening as per the approved plan number DRG No. 143-MAPS/PCMC/WAKAD/CRS/01 DATED 26.08.21.”

Despite previous correspondence and an official reply from PCMC BRTS, the residents claimed that the ongoing concreting work is deviating from the approved DP plan. They demanded the execution of the work as per the sanctioned plan, emphasizing the need for a drivable road with parking and an end-to-end footpath.

Vice President of PCCHSF, Sachin Londhe, expressed frustration, noting, “The Dutt Mandir Road is supposed to have a width of 45 meters, but in many areas, this requirement is not met. We demand urgent action. It’s a clear case of negligence in the implementation of the DP road from PCMC. We demand they solve the problem as soon as possible, or we, the societies and federation, will go on strike if the problem isn’t solved in 1 month.”

Despite numerous pleas and correspondences, the residents assert that PCMC has not responded to their concerns. They are demanding a comprehensive inspection followed by the implementation of a continuous 45-meter DP road.

Wakad, especially the area of Dutt Mandir Road is known for its dense population and is characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational establishments. The surge in traffic, exacerbated by inconsistent road widths, has become a major concern for the community. Wakad Traffic Branch has implemented various solutions to address traffic congestion, but the condition of the roads remains a significant challenge.

Ravikant Gajbhiye, a resident of Nandan Inspera Society on Dutt Mandir Road, expressed, “There is a complete disregard for rules in this area. The road width varies in different sections, leading to daily traffic congestion, particularly during mornings and evenings. Speeding occurs when the road widens, and drivers are forced to slow down in narrower sections. This contributes to traffic issues and creates potential accident zones on the road.”

In response to the concerns raised, Makarand Nikam, City Engineer of PCMC’s Building Permission and Unauthorised Construction Control Department, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. He stated, “The area has become a bit of a concern. Dutt Mandir Road is supposed to be 45 meters wide, but the main problem is we haven’t acquired the full road yet. There are some parts where it’s becoming complex to acquire or difficult to negotiate. Other public services are being considered too. We are committed to working as soon as we can and targeting to complete the whole road development before the next rainy season.”