Road users fret over traffic jams at Sangamwadi chowk

Pune: Akshay Sathe, who travels from Yerawada to Khadki, often faces traffic congestion at Sangamwadi chowk. Sathe said long queues of vehicles are frequently seen waiting at this busy junction during evening and morning hours. Travellers spend a lot of time getting past the chowk, he said.
Ramesh Swami, a resident of Khadki, said crossing the chowk is a challenge. “During rush hours, road users spend at least 15 to 20 minutes at the signal. The administration should take steps to widen the turning to reduce the waiting time. Urgent solutions are required to ease the movement especially on two stretches, one coming from Shivajinagar-Patil Estate and the other from Yerawada,” Swami said.

Civic authorities had visited the chowk a couple of months ago, but the situation has not improved.
Former corporators representing the area said a meeting will be held soon with the authorities to work out solutions to ease the traffic flow during evening hours. Daniel Landge, former corporator, said the traffic police have deployed staff at the chowk but traffic is heavy. Authorities can consider a flyover or a grade separator to reduce waiting, he said.
“Parnakuti Chowk and Sangamwadi chowk witness traffic jams. These chowks are used by all vehicles, including buses and private vehicles. We have suggested measures at Parnakuti Chowk to streamline traffic. Work will begin soon. Similar steps will be planned at Sangamwadi junction,” Landge said.
Former corporator Sanjay Bhosale said widening of the turning will help reduce traffic snarls. “We want authorities to conduct a detailed inspection and propose immediate solutions,” he said.