Pune: Severe traffic jam in Hinjawadi IT hub; Metro work compounds the problem
In Pune’s Hinjawadi, a critical nerve center for India’s IT industry, commuters were trapped in a relentless traffic jam that lasted over two hours on Phase 2 Road on March 20. The congestion, described as a complete chokehold on all lanes, has been exacerbated by ongoing metro construction work, leaving residents and commuters calling for urgent solutions to the escalating crisis.
The traffic gridlock not only hampered the daily routines of thousands but also spotlighted the broader infrastructure challenges facing the area. Despite Hinjawadi’s status as one of India’s most significant IT hubs, its roads and transportation facilities have lagged, drawing criticism and concern from the local workforce, which has suffered from the area’s deteriorating conditions.
The traffic situation in Hinjewadi is worsening day by day. I now understand why multinational companies are considering leaving Hinjewadi. The cause of this traffic is either a breakdown of city buses on narrow roads or traffic police stopping random cars for various reasons. pic.twitter.com/6lmUDhWfUO
— Swaroop Mandlik (@swrp96) March 20, 2024
Many are questioning the adequacy of current traffic management strategies, pointing out the absence of significant development in alternative routes and effective traffic control in the past decade. The situation has reached a point where multinational companies are reconsidering their presence in Hinjawadi, attributing their deliberation to the ongoing traffic woes.
Horrible traffic morning today for Hinjewadi ITkar.
— vijay choudhary (@vj_choudhary) March 20, 2024
Biggest IT hub in the India need better infrastructure and basic facilities. Need an immediate attention.#hinjewaditraffic #Hinjewadi #traffic pic.twitter.com/DSsoDJ6mSL
Commuters shared their frustrations, highlighting that what should be a brief journey now consumes an exorbitant amount of time, affecting productivity and quality of life. The demand for permanent work-from-home options until the metro work concludes has grown louder, with calls for immediate action to address traffic violations and the lack of alternative roadways, including the much-anticipated ring road.
The plight of Hinjawadi’s commuters reflects a larger issue of urban planning and infrastructure development falling behind the rapid growth of industrial and commercial activities. As the area continues to generate significant revenue, the call for prioritized infrastructure solutions and effective traffic management has become more urgent than ever, urging immediate attention from local authorities and stakeholders.
