Pune, 9th January 2026: “Low-cost traffic management has helped Pune reduce traffic congestion by more than 50 per cent and has also contributed to a decline in road accidents and fatalities,” said Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil, highlighting the success of the city’s new traffic strategy.
Pune has recorded visible improvements in traffic flow after implementing a series of low-cost, quick-impact measures aimed at easing congestion and improving road safety. The initiative comes at a time when road accidents remain one of the leading causes of death in Maharashtra, particularly in fast-growing cities with rising vehicle numbers.
The measures are being implemented during the National Road Safety Month, observed from January 7 to 31 under the theme “Road Safety – Life Protection.” Authorities say the focus is not only on smoother traffic but also on preventing avoidable deaths caused by speeding, signal violations, and poor road discipline.
In recent years, Pune had struggled with severe traffic congestion due to rapid urbanisation, increasing vehicle ownership, fuel wastage, and commuter stress. To reverse this trend, the Pune Police carried out a detailed traffic study and identified 33 major roads for targeted intervention.
Instead of expensive infrastructure projects, the emphasis was placed on junction redesign, signal synchronisation, better parking management, increased road capacity, and reduced travel time.
According to police data, the average vehicular speed on key roads has increased to about 33.8 kmph, while traffic congestion has reduced by 53 percent. Authorities have also noted a decline in fatal accidents, a crucial outcome for Maharashtra, where traffic crashes continue to claim a high number of lives every year, often due to negligence and rule violations.
Citizen participation has been strengthened through the Pune Traffic Police (PTP) mobile app, which allows residents to report traffic violations. Incentive-based campaigns, road safety pledges, and awareness drives on social media are being used to promote responsible driving behaviour.
Police officials believe this low-cost, people-centric model can serve as an example for other cities across Maharashtra facing similar traffic and road safety challenges.
