Chakan, 27th October 2025: Long queues of vehicles stretching up to six kilometers were reported on the Pune–Nashik and Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur routes on Sunday, as thousands of citizens returning from their native places caused severe congestion in and around Chakan.
Traffic on the Pune–Nashik highway came to a standstill between 10 am and 2 pm at major junctions including Chimbli Phata, Barge Vasti Phata, Kuruli Phata, MIDC Phata, Alandi Phata, Bungalow Vasti Chowk, Mutkewadi Phata, Talegaon Chowk, and Ambethan Chowk. The two-kilometer stretch between Alandi Phata and Talegaon Chowk reportedly took motorists up to five hours to cross, leaving passengers frustrated.
According to officials, around two lakh vehicles travel on the Pune–Nashik route daily, and the surge in post-Diwali return traffic only worsened the situation. Many industrial workers were stuck in the traffic jams and could not reach their workplaces on time.
Encroachments and Poor Road Planning Blamed
Local citizens and commuters expressed anger over the recurring congestion, questioning when the administration would find a lasting solution to the Chakan traffic problem. Residents blamed narrow roads, encroachments, poor traffic management, and heavy movement of containers, trailers, tankers, and company buses as key reasons behind the chaos.
Experts have recommended that road widening works on the Pune–Nashik highway and Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur route be restarted immediately. They also demanded the removal of encroachments in the MIDC area, including those linked to political leaders, along with relocation of large trees and electric poles obstructing the road.
Citywide Traffic Congestion on Sunday
Traffic congestion was not limited to Chakan. Reporters observed jams across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad from morning till evening as citizens returned after the festive holidays.
Long queues of vehicles were reported from Katraj New Tunnel to Navale Bridge, Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza, Loni Kalbhor–Solapur Highway, Wagholi, Kesanand, Shikrapur, Nagar Road, Bhosari, Chakan Industrial Area, Kivale-Dehu Road Chowk, Bhugaon, and Lonavala. In many places, the queues stretched up to two kilometers, with vehicles taking over an hour to move a few kilometers.
Experts Warn of Worsening Situation
Traffic experts warned that without urgent improvements in traffic management, the situation could worsen as the number of vehicles in Pune–Pimpri-Chinchwad continues to rise with rapid urban growth.
Key Causes of Traffic Congestion:
Sudden rise in the number of vehicles post-Diwali
Ongoing road works and delays in widening projects
Lack of flyovers and poor road conditions
Inadequate traffic planning and manpower
Violation of traffic rules by drivers
Suggested Remedies:
Speeding up widening work and creating alternative routes
Smart signaling systems and CCTV-based traffic monitoring
Restricting heavy vehicles to fixed time slots in industrial zones
Prioritizing movement during peak hours
Deploying sufficient traffic police during morning and evening rush hours
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