Pune: PMRDA Launches 18-Month Plan to Ease Traffic at 17 Key Junctions
File photo for representation
PUNE – The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has announced an 18-month Traffic Congestion Mitigation Plan to address significant traffic bottlenecks at 17 key junctions in the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR). The plan, divided into a three-month design phase followed by 15 months of implementation, aims to enhance traffic flow in critical areas surrounding the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Key Traffic Congestion Points
According to the PMRDA, heavy traffic congestion has been identified in:
- Maval taluka – 3 junctions
- Mulshi taluka – 4 junctions
- Shirur taluka – 3 junctions
- Haveli taluka – 7 junctions
To mitigate congestion, the PMRDA has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), inviting agencies to submit proposals by February 3, 2025. The initiative is based on findings from the 2018-19 Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) and subsequent traffic studies, which identified inadequate infrastructure as a major cause of congestion, particularly in Loni Kalbhor, Wagholi, Chakan, Shikrapur, and Uruli Kanchan.
Proposed Traffic Solutions
Under the plan, the PMRDA will implement the following measures:
- Junction widening to improve vehicle movement, requiring additional land acquisition through Transfer Development Rights (TDR) and government compensation.
- Detailed traffic volume assessments and topographic surveys to analyze congestion patterns.
- Junction capacity analysis during peak hours to evaluate current and future traffic flow.
- Concept designs incorporating pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, universal accessibility, and speed control measures.
- Signal timing optimization based on traffic volume studies to improve efficiency.
A microscopic simulation analysis will be conducted using advanced software to ensure that proposed designs align with Indian traffic conditions.
Implementation & Monitoring
Once the Final Traffic Congestion Mitigation Report is prepared, a contractor will be appointed to implement the recommended changes. The consultant will oversee a six-month post-implementation monitoring phase, submitting a Post-implementation Monitoring Summary Report to ensure long-term effectiveness.
PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase emphasized the importance of these developments, stating, “Upgrading junctions is essential to alleviating traffic congestion in the PMRDA region. This plan will improve traffic flow and enhance urban mobility.”
With rapid urban expansion, the PMRDA’s initiative is a crucial step toward reducing travel delays and enhancing transportation infrastructure in Pune and its surrounding areas.
