Ganeshotsav rush, failed signals lead to chaos on city roads

Huge traffic snarls witnessed on city roads on Thursday due to Ganeshotsav rush exposed the lack of alternative route plan by the Pune traffic police department. Non-functional traffic signals added to the chaos.

Despite the best efforts by the city traffic police to divert vehicles through alternative routes, the traffic flow went haywire.

Commuters were puzzled about which roads to use, as internal roads connecting the main roads had been blocked.

Rasta Peth, Budhwar Peth, Bhavawni Peth, Laxmi Road areas were worst-affected. Kothrud resident Tushar Gaikwad (45), a businessman, said, “I had come with my family to see Ganpati, but the traffic moved at snail’s pace. It took me more than 45 minutes to cross Laxmi Road.”

Another commuter Vipin Awasthi (34), said, “It was a nightmare. There were barricades all over the place, and no one to guide, not even traffic cops.” Ritu Singh (28) from Bavdhan said, “I had come here for shopping. While I was returning, not a single autorickshaw was available due to the traffic jam. I had to walk for more than 25 minutes.”

The traffic departments claimed that they had closed roads as per requirement and arranged alternative routes. “We have deputed four ACPs, 16 PIs, 30 assistant PIs and 791 constables on alternative routes. Many traffic signals were not working due to maintenance work, which caused traffic snarls,” senior PI, traffic, Rajendra Kamire said.

Six major city roads will have following arrangements for commuters on Friday

1. Tilak Road: Pedestrians can use Jedhe Chowk- Hirabaug - Sanas statue-Puram Chowk route and also from Puram Chowk to Hirabaug.

2. Bajirao Road: The stretch from Puram Chowk to Shanipar will be a two-way. The stretch from Shanipar - Sevasadan - Appa Balwant Chowk-Phutka Buruj-Jijamata Chowk, Shaniwarwada to Tambdi Jogeshwari, Vasant Talkies to Tambdi Jogeshwari will be one-way.

3. Shivaji Road: Stretches from Gadgil statue to Jijamatabaug and Rameshwar Chowk to Rashtrabhushan Chowk will be two-way.

4. One-way stretches are: Jijamatabaug-Budhwar Chowk - Belbaug Chowk - Rameshwar Chowk; Datta Mandir to Mandai; Rashtrabhushan Chowk-Sinhagad Garage - Vega Centre; Rashtrabhushan Chowk - Hirabaug Chowk - Sanas statue. Pedestrians can go via Mandai Ganapati - Chavan Rd - Bajirao Rd.

5. Laxmi Road: One-way stretch: Belbaug Chowk to Sevasadan Chowk; Belbaug Chowk to Sonya Maruti Chowk; Sonya Maruti Chowk to Phadke Haud Chowk, Kumthekar Road: One way from Chitale corner to Phadtare Chowk.

6. Ganesh Road: One-way from Phadke Haud Chowk to Jijamata Chowk; Kasba Ganapati - Ganesh Road - Jijamata Chowk.
Roads that will be closed for pedestrians: Sevasadan chowk to Belbaug chowk and Ganapati chowk to Tambadi Jogeshwari on Bajirao Road; Tapkir lane to Shivaji Road and Jijamata Chowk to Phadke Haud Chowk on Ganesh Rd; Datta Mandir to Shukrawar Peth Chowk, Sonya Maruti Chowk to Belbaug Chowk, Budhwar Chowk to Vithoba Mandir, Moti Chowk to Vithoba Mandir, Phadke Haud Chowk to Sonya Maruti Chowk and Mandai Ganapati to chowky on Shivaji Rd. Phadtare Chowk to Chitale Corner on Kumthekar Rd and from Hirabaug to Puram Chowk on Tilak Road.