Traffic in Pune’s Hinjawadi-Maan IT corridor has eased sharply during the Diwali holidays as large numbers of IT employees and other workers have travelled to their hometowns, temporarily reducing vehicle volumes on the area’s congested roads.
The change is being observed across Hinjawadi phases one, two and three, as well as Maan, Marunji, Wakad, Bhumkar Chowk, Laxmi Chowk, Wipro Circle and Bhujbal Chowk, according to a report by Sakal – Pune. Roads that usually carry long queues during office hours have seen smoother movement, with vehicles passing through several junctions without the usual delays.
The reduction is particularly visible during the morning and evening peak periods, when the corridor normally experiences heavy traffic. The quieter roads have also reduced the constant honking and vehicle queues commonly associated with the area’s daily commute.
Hinjawadi IT Park sees an estimated five to six lakh people travel through the area every day, the report said. Traffic pressure has been linked to inadequate road capacity, narrow stretches, obstructions at junctions and a growing number of vehicles. Commuters are frequently forced to spend hours in congestion, particularly during office opening and closing times.
The temporary improvement has also drawn attention to the role of public transport in the corridor. The recently started Hinjawadi-Maan-Shivajinagar Metro service has added an alternative for IT employees and other commuters. The report noted that the effect of the new service is being discussed in connection with movement around Bhumkar Chowk, Laxmi Chowk, Wipro Circle and internal roads in Hinjawadi. It did not provide passenger numbers or data measuring how much traffic the metro has removed from the roads.
A special change to the metro timetable has been planned for November 8 in view of the Diwali period, with passengers advised to plan their journeys according to the revised schedule, the report said.
The holiday lull has also renewed attention on the longer-term road constraints in the IT district. The administration has planned the development of six major roads to address congestion in Hinjawadi. Instructions have reportedly been issued to accelerate land acquisition and other related processes, although the report did not specify the roads, land parcels, costs or completion deadlines.
For local residents and regular commuters, the festival-period relief remains temporary. The return of employees after the holidays will provide the next practical test of whether the metro service, planned road improvements and other administrative measures can reduce congestion under normal working-day demand. The immediate official milestones are the revised metro timetable on November 8 and the progress of land acquisition and related procedures for the six planned roads.
