Traffic chaos ensued at Katraj Chowk on Tuesday as the first day of traffic diversion due to ongoing flyover construction caused significant delays for commuters. Heavy vehicles coming from the Katraj tunnel heading toward Satara faced long queues and confusion as rerouting caused chaos on the roads.
The construction work at Katraj Chowk involves settlement launching, necessitating traffic diversions. Despite an alternative route being designated for heavy vehicles, the lack of clear signage led many drivers to stick to their regular routes, exacerbating the congestion. Traffic police were deployed in large numbers to manage the situation and redirect vehicles.
Various categories of commuters, including officegoers, rickshaw drivers, and vehicles transporting schoolchildren, were affected by the congestion. MSRTC buses travelling from Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur also experienced significant delays, causing passengers at Swargate station to face longer waiting times.
The impact of the diversion was felt across multiple routes, including Mantarwadi, Undri, Pisoli, Market Yard, Gangadham, and Hadapsar. Despite efforts by traffic police to implement phased diversions for heavy vehicles, other traffic continued to be heavily disrupted.
Pramod Nehul, Division Controller of the Pune Division of MSRTC, announced that buses from Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur heading toward Katraj Chowk will now be rerouted through the new tunnel via Navale Bridge, Pasalkar Chowk Bridge, and Sinhagad Road to reach Swargate.
Traffic Police, Transport Department, and MSRTC have issued fresh instructions for drivers to follow the alternative routes. However, commuters expressed frustration over the lack of preparation and effective communication, calling for better traffic management measures to avoid further disruptions.
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