Pune: Traffic at Katraj Junction came to a standstill on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, due to poor pre-planning. The authorities diverted traffic without any advance preparation, causing massive confusion among drivers. The lack of planning led to severe traffic jams, forcing authorities to temporarily halt the ongoing flyover construction work at the junction.

Traffic Disruption at Katraj Junction

Starting early in the morning, traffic congestion was reported from 6 AM onwards. The flyover’s girder installation process required blocking the main road at Katraj Junction. However, instead of a well-structured diversion, traffic was rerouted below the newly installed girders without any proper planning.

As a result, heavy traffic jams were observed on major roads such as Satara Road, Shankar Maharaj Flyover to Katraj Ghat, and Navale Bridge to Kondhwa Road. The congestion impacted areas like Mangdewadi, Santosh Nagar, Katrajgaon, Sachaimata Colony, Wagjainagar, Ambegaon Khurd, Dattanagar Chowk, and Gujar-Nimbalkarwadi Road, along with the Katraj-Kondhwa Road and Narhegaon. Commuters, including students and office-goers, faced significant delays in reaching their destinations.

Measures Needed for Traffic Improvement

Alternative Routes: To avoid future disruptions, there is an urgent need for proper alternative routes while flyover work is ongoing.

Encroachment Removal: The areas around the junction, especially those with heavy encroachments, need immediate attention.

Redirecting ST Buses: Buses traveling from Satara Road to Swargate and vice versa should be temporarily diverted through Navale Bridge.

Rerouting PMT Buses: A majority of PMT buses should bypass Katraj Junction and be redirected through Morebaug.

Alternative Traffic Flows: Vehicles heading to Swargate from Navale Bridge can be rerouted via Wondercity and Katraj Dairy. Similarly, traffic heading to Kondhwa from Satara Road can be diverted at Gujarwadi Phata.

Land Acquisition: Expediting land acquisition at Katraj Junction will also help in easing congestion.

Local Concerns

A local resident, Yogesh Handge, shared his frustration: “I was dropping my child to school, and the entire junction was a mess due to the poor planning. The traffic jam caused delays, and I couldn’t reach my office on time. The administration needs to plan better before starting such major projects.”

Police Statement

Amol Zhende, Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Police, said, “Since the flyover work is located at the main junction, it is impossible to keep traffic flowing smoothly. Today, we made experimental changes to the traffic routes, but they were unsuccessful. We have now suspended the traffic diversion plan for the time being.”

The Katraj traffic situation highlights the importance of advance planning and coordination for such major infrastructure projects, as even small delays can cause significant issues for daily commuters.