Pune traffic congestion intensified across the city’s central market areas on Saturday as Diwali shoppers crowded roads in and around Raviwar Peth, Bohri Ali, Mahatma Phule Mandai, Tulshibaug, Ganesh Peth, Shukrawar Peth and Budhwar Peth. Vehicle queues were reported through the day, with double parking, vehicles parked in no-parking zones and violations of no-entry restrictions worsening movement.
The congestion affected several key roads, including Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, Kelkar Road, Bajirao Road and Shivaji Road. Drivers travelling from Tilak Chowk towards Bajirao Road needed about 30 to 40 minutes, according to the report. The journey from Shaniwar Wada along Shivaji Road towards Swargate also took nearly the same amount of time.
Traffic movement slowed on the Laxmi Road stretch between Phadke Haud and Lal Mahal Chowk, as well as between Quarter Gate Chowk and Tilak Chowk. Vehicle queues were also seen on Namdar Gopal Krishna Gokhale Road, commonly known as Fergusson Road, along with Jungli Maharaj Road and Tilak Road.
The central markets drew shoppers from Pune city, its suburbs and other parts of the district for clothing, jewellery, decorative items, festive snacks and other Diwali purchases. The combination of the Saturday holiday and festival shopping increased the number of pedestrians and vehicles on roads that are already narrow in several parts of the old city.
The simultaneous rise in pedestrian and vehicle movement made it difficult for traffic police to keep roads moving. Congestion on one road also affected adjoining routes during the day, as vehicles struggled to pass through sections narrowed by roadside parking and restrictions being ignored.
Double parking reduced the road space available for moving traffic, while vehicles left in no-parking areas created additional obstacles. The report also noted that some vehicles entered roads despite no-entry restrictions, adding to the disruption and creating conflicts with traffic attempting to leave the market areas.
In response to the seasonal increase in traffic, the traffic police have temporarily withdrawn permission for heavy vehicles on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road and Bajirao Road on Saturdays and Sundays. The restriction will remain in force until the end of Diwali. Authorities said the measure is intended to protect citizens and prevent further congestion in the central market areas.
