Pune: Bikers overtaking others, honking continuously, jumping signals and violating traffic rules and traffic jams at several places. Welcome normalcy in Pune. Scenes like this were witnessed on Monday on almost all Pune roads giving a sense of 'normalcy' returning to the city. Some roads being closed during the lockdown and barricades still obstructing traffic had Punekars fuming with anger. 

On the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, a lockdown was imposed in the city from March 22. Since last week, considerable relaxations were given to citizens. Shops, private offices were allowed to reopen on certain terms and conditions like social distancing and frequent sanitisation of workplaces. Government offices have also started work. 

After the go-ahead from civic administration, most of the companies had informed their employees to start coming to offices from Monday (June 8). Shops have begun operating on odd-even dates basis. This sense of 'normalcy' was back on the roads with heavy traffic and snarls at several places. 

CLOSED ROADS ADD TO TRAFFIC WOES
The Shivaji Maharaj Road starting from Shaniwarwada to Swargate has been closed to traffic. Vehicular traffic on Shivaji road has been diverted to Bajirao road where only one-way traffic is permitted. Therefore, vehicular traffic from Swargate to Shivajinagar and from Shivajinagar to Swargate is coming on Bajirao Road. For the entire lockdown period, the number of vehicles plying on the road was very less. Still, with lockdown relaxations kicking in from Monday the situation has worsened.

CLOSED PETH AREAS ADD TO TRAFFIC JAM
Roads from Shaniwarwada, Kumbharwada, Jijamata Chowk, City Post Office leading to micro-containment zones have been barricaded and closed down by police for vehicular traffic. Hence vehicles headed towards these areas is also diverted via Bajirao Road only. Also, citizens coming for shopping at Mahatma Phule Mandai, Tulshibaug are also driving through Bajirao Road, which is causing traffic snarls in the area. 

BEWARE WHILE DRIVING EARLY MORNING
Traders, tempo drivers from Pimpri-Chinchwad and Khadki area drive through Shivajinagar and Shaniwarwada to reach Marketyard in Gultekdi area. Since Bajirao Road is one-way traffic from the opposite direction, there is a strong possibility of an accident if some vehicle coming from the wrong side hits the other vehicle.