Paralysed BRTS causing traffic chaos on the Pune-Satara Rd

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had started the first Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) on a pilot basis on Pune-Satara Road to ease traffic congestions by providing dedicated lanes for public transport. However, after over a decade, it is doubtful whether there is any BRTS existing on this road. The road has widened but traffic congestions still exists as private commuters also use BRTS lane.
 
Within city limits, the road is 6 km with Swargate and Katraj chowks at its two extreme ends. Width of the road is 60 metre. At both the extreme points, the road witnesses highest traffic chaos. Despite constructing flyovers and grade separators, traffic problems at Swargate have not been solved completely. At Katraj Chowk, due to obstacles in acquiring private land, the proposed flyover work has not started. Volga Chowk also has frequent traffic issues. Commuters disregard traffic signals at almost all chowks.

Due to the absence of traffic police and proper planning, traffic congestion is common on this road. Now, corporators have demanded an extension of the metro rail route from Swargate to Katraj to solve traffic problems. However, the flyovers have created obstacles for the metro rail route and MahaMetro is still working on the extension route. 
 
Dattatreya Wayase, Executive Engineer of PMC Road Department, said, “We are redesigning Katraj Road so that we can give more space to vehicles. Earlier, we had provided more space to cycle track and service road. There should be flyover in Katraj Chowk to solve the traffic problem. The PMPML bus depot, illegal hawkers and vegetable market add to traffic chaos. In the Dhankawadi area under the flyover, there should have been proper traffic management to solve the problem. We are working on a plan with traffic police to improve traffic condition. We are also working on the BRTS route.”