Pune: Heavy Vehicles Temporarily Banned on Roads Leading To Gangadham Chowk  

Move follows fatal accident; aims to curb traffic congestion and enhance safety  

June 22, 2024

Pune: The Pune city traffic police have imposed a temporary ban on heavy vehicles from 7 am to 10 pm on two roads leading to Gangadham Chowk on Bibwewadi-Kondhwa Road. This decision comes in response to a fatal accident near the chowk on June 12, where a 59-year-old woman lost her life and her daughter-in-law was injured after being hit by a dumper truck.

The banned routes, starting from Shatrunjay Temple and Tilekarnagar Chowk, converge at Aai Mata Mandir Road. Trucks, cement mixers, dumpers, and all types of multi-axle commercial transport vehicles are affected by the ban. However, vehicles providing emergency, essential services, and public transport, including those of the fire brigade, police, PMPML, MSRTC, milk, and LPG cylinder carriers, are exempt.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP-traffic) Rohidas Pawar stated, “We are implementing this restriction on an experimental basis starting today. A formal notification confirming the ban will be issued after a month, following a public feedback exercise.”

Pawar added, “Heavy vehicles coming from Katraj Chowk can utilize Katraj-Kondhwa Bypass to reach Khadi Machine Chowk, Lullanagar, Gangadham Chowk, and further to Gultekdi Market Yard as an alternative route.”

In a released statement, the police have invited suggestions and objections from the public regarding the heavy vehicle ban, to be submitted to the office of the DCP (traffic) on Jail Road in Yerawada by July 5.

The Bibvewadi-Kondhwa Road serves as a vital route for vehicles heading towards Satara Road and Katraj-Kondhwa Bypass, making the affected roads crucial parts of the bypass route.

DCP Pawar explained, “The decision to temporarily ban heavy vehicles aims to alleviate traffic congestion, given the narrow roads and high traffic volume. There are residential areas flanking steep slopes on Aai Mata Temple Road, with frequent complaints of congestion due to encroachments.”

Assistant Inspector, in charge of Swargate traffic police, highlighted, “The steep slope on Aai Mata Temple Road has witnessed numerous accidents and breakdowns, exacerbated by speeding. Heavy vehicle drivers sometimes lose control while descending, contributing to traffic snarls, especially at Kakade Vasti.” He emphasized that heavy vehicle owners and drivers violating the ban will face fines under the Motor Vehicles Act.

In the tragic June 13 incident, a dumper carrying crushed sand from Undri Pisoli to an under-construction government hospital in Bibvewadi was involved. According to police reports, the driver attributed the accident to rainy conditions.