Pune: Over the past five years, 34 new villages have been added to Pune city, but road development in these areas is still pending. Urbanisation is rapidly spreading up to 30 km beyond Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad limits. This fast-paced expansion has led to a mismatch between infrastructure growth and population needs.
Even moderate rainfall often causes waterlogging, tree branch falls, and potholes across 70–80 locations in the city, leading to accidents and traffic snarls. While administrative efforts are underway to address these issues, the pace of execution has not matched the rising demands.
Rising Vehicles and Road Pressure
With Pune’s population nearing 6 million and vehicle registrations crossing 5 million, the load on city roads has increased significantly. Daily commuters, including those from Pimpri-Chinchwad and nearby districts, number over 7 million.
Though road length has increased marginally in recent years, widening has not kept pace. Central areas continue to face congestion, and road infrastructure in newly merged villages remains underdeveloped. Currently, 783 km of road work is pending in the suburban belt.
Public Transport Struggles
PMPML, Pune’s main bus service provider, faces challenges like inadequate fleet size, frequent breakdowns, and limited reach in suburban areas. Ideally, 3,000 buses are needed to meet daily demand, but currently only around 1,650 operate, with a portion out of service regularly. Fare hikes have further reduced ridership as commuters turn to private vehicles or the metro.
The BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system, initially effective, did not expand as planned. Some corridors were even dismantled due to shifting focus toward the metro.
Metro Service: Progress and Limitations
The Pune Metro, operational since 2022 on select corridors, sees around 1.7 lakh daily passengers. However, its reach is still limited, especially in suburban areas. Lack of feeder services restricts easy access to metro stations, reducing its utility for many.
Traffic Congestion and Road Conditions
Inadequate public transport has increased reliance on private vehicles, particularly two-wheelers, Pune ranks among the highest in the country in this regard. Road congestion leads to loss of time, fuel, and productivity, and affects mental well-being.
Many roads, including newly built cement ones, are repeatedly dug up due to lack of coordination among utility agencies. Poor restoration standards contribute to potholes and uneven surfaces.
Need for Better Alternatives
Efforts to build cycle tracks and pedestrian paths have seen limited success due to encroachments and lack of maintenance. An integrated transport approach, combining buses, metro, non-motorised transport, and last-mile connectivity, is still evolving.
Traffic Regulation Challenges
Despite high traffic volumes, the number of traffic police personnel is limited. Pune has about 1,000 traffic policemen managing over 1,500 junctions, while comparable cities have higher staffing levels. This shortage affects traffic management and enforcement.
Expand PMPML's fleet, especially with electric buses
Accelerate metro network extension into suburban areas
Improve last-mile connectivity through feeder buses, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure
Collaborate with urban planning experts and civic organisations
Promote traffic rule awareness and enforcement
Implement parking policies to discourage excess private vehicle use
Strengthen public transport as a sustainable alternative
Enhance coordination among road agencies for better maintenance
Increase traffic police manpower and use of smart traffic systems