Pune: Chaos unfolded at Katraj Junction on Tuesday (October 1) as traffic diversions were implemented without prior planning, causing major disruptions during morning rush hour.
The experimental diversion, meant to facilitate ongoing flyover construction, resulted in severe traffic jams, leaving citizens frustrated and forcing authorities to halt work temporarily.
The congestion started as early as 6 a.m., with traffic jams stretching from Shankar Maharaj Flyover on Satara Road to Katraj Ghat, and from Navale Bridge to Kondhwa Road.
In an attempt to install girders for the flyover, traffic was diverted without sufficient preparation, causing gridlock across the main routes. Areas such as Mangdewadi, Santosh Nagar, Katraj Village, and Ambegaon Khurd were severely affected, with smaller roads also clogged by vehicles.
Citizens, including schoolchildren and office-goers, were particularly impacted, as many were unable to reach their destinations on time. Local residents, alongside police officers, were seen attempting to manage the unruly traffic, which had spilled onto minor roads and alleyways.
Local residents criticized the administration for proceeding with the diversion without adequate planning.
Yogesh Handge, a resident of the area, remarked, "I was dropping my son at school, and due to the unorganized traffic, I was delayed and couldn’t reach my office on time. Proper planning should have been done before initiating this work."
The traffic police acknowledged the failure of the experimental diversion. Amol Zhende, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, stated, "Given that the flyover work is happening at the main intersection, it’s not feasible to continue allowing traffic flow during the construction.
We trialed a new traffic plan today, but it was unsuccessful, and we have suspended further changes for the time being."
Officials proposed diverting State Transport (ST) buses via Navale Bridge and rerouting PMPML buses away from Katraj through alternative paths.
Additionally, vehicles traveling between Satara and Kondhwa, and those heading towards Swargate from the Satara side, are expected to be diverted through nearby routes to prevent further jams at the Katraj intersection.