The Chakan-Shikrapur highway in Pune district witnessed a severe traffic jam on the first day of Diwali, with vehicle queues stretching three to four kilometres and hundreds of travellers heading to their native places reportedly stranded for hours. The disruption affected key stretches near Kadachiwadi, Shelgaon, Shelpimpalgaon, Sabalewadi and the Chowfula-Pimple Jagatap area.
The highway is an important link between Pune, Nashik and Ahmednagar and carries heavy freight traffic because of the Chakan industrial area. The increase in private vehicles and public transport during the Diwali holiday period added to the regular movement of trucks and other heavy vehicles on the route.
According to the report by Lokmat – Pune, inadequate road widening, potholes and the high volume of heavy vehicles slowed traffic at several points. In some locations, heavy vehicles broke down in the middle of the road, forcing authorities to operate single-lane traffic and worsening the congestion.
Traffic pressure began increasing from Thursday, the first day of Diwali. The situation became particularly serious after 5 pm near Sabalewadi, Shelpimpalgaon and Chowfula, where queues reportedly extended for three to four kilometres. Families travelling with children and elderly passengers were forced to remain in their vehicles for hours. Several commuters expressed their anger on social media.
The disruption also exposed the continuing challenge of managing a corridor that serves both industrial freight and intercity passenger traffic. The Chakan-Shikrapur route has faced recurring congestion for several years because of the industrial vehicle load. Local residents and elected representatives have previously demanded road widening and repairs, and funding has reportedly been approved for these works.
Traffic authorities have also experimented with measures such as restricting heavy vehicles during specific time windows. However, the report said that arrangements for the sharp increase in passenger traffic during the festival were inadequate. Police personnel and home guards deployed to regulate movement were reportedly unable to keep pace with the rising number of vehicles.
Local residents are seeking permanent measures rather than temporary traffic control during festivals. These include widening the highway and considering alternative routes to separate industrial freight movement from local and intercity traffic. The latest congestion has again raised questions about when long-term improvements on the Chakan-Shikrapur corridor will be implemented.
