PMRDA Launches a Decisive Drive to Ease Traffic Congestion at Chronic Bottlenecks in Pune by Removing Encroachments Within 30 Days
Pune, February 28, 2025 – With rising traffic congestion creating daily challenges for commuters, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has taken decisive action to address the issue. Under the leadership of Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase, a joint meeting of multiple agencies was held at the PMRDA office on Thursday, where a comprehensive plan to remove unauthorized encroachments and improve road conditions was finalized.
Joint Action Plan to Remove Encroachments
Officials from PMRDA, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and the traffic police participated in the meeting. It was unanimously decided that within the next 30 days, unauthorized stalls, temporary structures, and illegal encroachments contributing to congestion along major highways would be removed in a coordinated effort.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Mhase stated, “Encroachments on highways and key roads are a major cause of traffic congestion. We have decided to implement a joint action plan to clear these obstructions. Citizens and business owners are requested to voluntarily remove unauthorized structures to avoid legal action.”
To prevent future encroachments, PMRDA has announced that eviction drives will be conducted twice a year across Pune city and its surrounding areas. Additionally, Dr. Mhase urged builders to obtain necessary permissions before constructing any structures to avoid disruptions to traffic flow.
Traffic Decongestion Plan: Key Areas Identified
The authorities have outlined a detailed schedule for the anti-encroachment drive at major congestion points. The following areas will witness action in the coming weeks:
- March 3-10, 2025
- Pune-Solapur Road (Hadapsar to Yavat, Uruli Kanchan to Shindwane)
- Pune-Nashik Road (Rajgurunagar)
- Chandni Chowk to Paud
- March 10-20, 2025
- Pune-Satara Road (Navale Bridge to Sarole)
- Sus Road
- Hadapsar (Shewalwadi) to Dive Ghat
- Navlakh Umbre to Chakan
- Hinjewadi Area – Maan
- Talegaon – Chakan – Shikrapur
Senior Officials Present at the Meeting
The meeting was attended by key officials from multiple agencies, including:
- Manoj Patil – Additional Commissioner of Police, Pune City
- Sanjay Kadam – Project Director, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- Makarand Nikam – City Engineer, PCMC
- Dipti Suryavanshi-Patil – Joint Commissioner
- Asha Jadhav – Superintendent of Land Records
- Bapu Bangar – DCP (Traffic), Pimpri-Chinchwad Police
- Nandini Vagyani – Assistant Commissioner of Police, Pune City
- Maheshkumar Sartape – Police Inspector
Representatives from the Public Works Department (PWD), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and traffic enforcement agencies were also present.
Future Steps and Implementation
Authorities have urged local businesses and residents to cooperate by voluntarily removing unauthorized structures before the enforcement drives begin. The PMRDA has emphasized that this initiative aims to create long-term improvements in traffic flow and commuter convenience across Pune.
With these efforts, officials hope to bring significant relief to Pune’s growing traffic congestion issues. The coming weeks will be crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of this large-scale initiative.
