Pune Morning Commute Hit as Heavy Rain Triggers Traffic Snarls Across Shivajinagar, Kharadi, Baner, Hadapsar

Pune, July 8: Persistent rainfall threw Pune's traffic network into disarray once again on Wednesday morning, with office rush hour and slow-moving vehicles leading to long queues across key junctions. According to Google Maps' live traffic data, congestion was reported across central Pune, eastern and western suburbs, with commuters facing delays of 30 to 45 minutes on several major routes.

Traffic was further disrupted after a large tree collapsed near Balgandharva Rangmandir on Jangli Maharaj Road in Shivajinagar, forcing authorities to temporarily shut the stretch. Personnel from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Fire Brigade rushed to clear the debris, while traffic was diverted through Deccan, Fergusson College Road, Sambhaji Park and Shivajinagar, resulting in heavy congestion on alternate routes as well.

Google Maps showed several arterial roads marked in red and dark red, indicating severe congestion. Between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., motorists reportedly waited through two to three signal cycles at several intersections. Traffic police deployed additional personnel at key junctions to regulate vehicle movement, while civic officials worked to reopen the blocked stretch.

Traffic remained slow across Nagar Road, Kharadi, Mundhwa, Kalyani Nagar and Yerawada, where office commuters heading to IT parks added to the rush. Similar congestion was reported on Hadapsar, Magarpatta, Fursungi and Solapur Road, while Karve Road, Paud Road, Baner Road, Aundh–University Road and Senapati Bapat Road in western Pune also witnessed slow-moving traffic.

Worst-Hit Junctions

Major traffic snarls were reported at:

• Shivajinagar Chowk

• Balgandharva Chowk

• Nal Stop

• Sangamwadi Chowk

• Mundhwa Chowk

• Kharadi Bypass Junction

• Hadapsar Gadital Chowk

• Yerawada Circle

• Chandni Chowk

• Nashik Phata

• Dapodi

Major Roads Affected

Traffic moved at a crawl on:

• Jangli Maharaj Road

• Senapati Bapat Road

• Karve Road

• Nagar Road

• Sinhagad Road

• Pune–Satara Road

• Solapur Road

• Baner Road

• Aundh–University Road

• Mundhwa Bridge

• North Main Road

• Roads leading to Koregaon Park and Viman Nagar

Waterlogging Added to Delays

Waterlogging in low-lying areas and rain-filled potholes further slowed traffic, particularly affecting two-wheeler riders. The movement of PMPML buses, school buses and heavy vehicles also contributed to congestion at several locations across the city.