Pune : The ongoing construction of a six-lane National Highway on the Pune-Saswad route has led to significant traffic chaos across the region. Commuters are facing grueling delays, with long queues of vehicles becoming a daily occurrence during morning and afternoon peak hours, particularly on the stretch between Gondhalenagar and Bhekrai Nagar. A major contributing factor to the gridlock is the local private school buses; these buses are frequently parked directly on the newly constructed service roads, effectively choking the flow of traffic. Frustrated residents have called upon the school administration to take immediate corrective measures.

Loose Gravel Increases Accident Risks

The situation is further exacerbated between Satyapuram and Bhekrai Nagar, where large amounts of loose gravel and stones are scattered across the road surface. This has made the stretch treacherous for motorists, especially two-wheeler riders who face a high risk of skidding. Local citizens have voiced an urgent need for the road to be cleared and repaired to prevent fatal accidents. Additionally, residents heading toward Tukai Darshan and Kale Padal are currently forced to take long detours, resulting in a significant waste of time and fuel.

Demand for Road ‘Cuts’ to Prevent Wrong-Side Driving

To alleviate the congestion, citizens have formally requested the authorities to provide a ‘cut’ (median opening) in the road opposite Satyapuram. Residents believe this would streamline traffic flow and reduce the current inconvenience. Currently, in an attempt to avoid long detours, many motorists are risking their lives by driving on the wrong side of the road. This dangerous practice has turned the stretch into an accident-prone zone. Consequently, locals have urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the concerned administration to intervene immediately and implement sustainable solutions.