Pune’s Sinhagad Road witnessed a four-kilometre traffic queue on Friday morning after Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) began road excavation near the Ganeshmala area without prior public notice, disrupting peak-hour travel between Vadgaon Bridge and Ganeshmala.
The congestion began around 8 am and continued until noon, according to Sakal’s report. Vehicles travelling from Dhayari and Vadgaon towards Swargate were held up, while traffic also backed up on the flyover between Fun Time Theatre and Vitthalwadi. Several motorists reportedly waited for about an hour as traffic moved slowly.
The disruption affected office workers, students and other residents travelling during the morning rush. Commuters reported delays in reaching workplaces and expressed anger over the timing and coordination of the excavation work.
The reported roadwork was being carried out by MSEDCL. Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said the utility had not obtained prior permission from the municipal corporation for the excavation. The report did not specify the nature of the electricity work, its planned duration or whether the excavation would continue after the traffic disruption.
Senior Police Inspector Rahul Gaud said that the four-kilometre queue between Vadgaon Bridge and Ganeshmala developed between 8 am and noon because of the excavation. Twelve police personnel, including Gaud, were deployed in the area to manage the congestion and assist with restoring traffic movement.
Sinhagad Road has faced traffic disruptions linked to road excavation in the past, according to the report. Residents questioned why such work was not scheduled at night or on holidays to avoid peak travel periods. They also called for advance public information and better coordination among the Pune Municipal Corporation, MSEDCL and traffic police before utility work begins.
Local resident Sarita Bharde said residents repeatedly bear the consequences of inadequate planning and urged the civic body and the electricity distribution company to coordinate the timing and execution of roadwork. The report said traffic became smoother by noon, after four hours of disruption.
The incident places attention on the administrative process for utility excavation on busy urban roads. The immediate next steps reported are coordination among the municipal corporation, MSEDCL and traffic police, along with improved scheduling and advance notification for future works.
