Pune witnesses traffic jams as residents stage protest

The city witnessed heavy traffic chaos on arterial roads on Friday after residents of Rajiv Gandhi slums staged dharna at Dengle bridge junction.

The bridge, joining Shivajinagar and Kumbhar Vesh, was closed down for vehicular movements, resulting in a cascading effect on connecting roads.

Local corporator Balasaheb Bodke and residents were agitating for lifting of two-way system ban on the bridge, implemented by the police since past one month.

In the evening, a few politicians, including MLA Anil Bhosale, joined the protest. The bridge was opened at around 8 pm after the police, including deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Dnyaneshwar Phadtare (Zone I), reached the spot and assured protesters to find a solution soon.

Inspector Nilam Jadhav of Deccan traffic division said, “A final decision will be taken after meeting the residents on Saturday.”
It took three hours to clear the traffic jams on roads in Shaniwarwada, PMC Chowk and Kumbharwada areas.