Pune’s busy Sinhagad Road witnessed severe congestion on Wednesday morning after a civic earthmover involved in ongoing pipeline works broke down near Hingne, leaving commuters stranded in long queues during peak hours. The disruption once again highlighted the fragile nature of mobility along this critical stretch, where roadworks, incomplete infrastructure upgrades, and rising vehicle volumes continue to challenge the city’s ability to deliver predictable, sustainable travel.
Traffic slowed dramatically on the route between Wadgaon and Rajaram Bridge, with commuters reporting delays lasting close to an hour. According to traffic officials, vehicular movement came to a halt because the earthmover—which was stationed in the middle of the carriageway—developed a technical fault, blocking both the primary lane and merging traffic from adjoining roads. Additional police personnel were deployed to regulate the flow until the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) shifted the machinery aside. A civic official said the breakdown occurred during ongoing pipeline realignment works designed to improve water supply consistency in the Hingne area. The works, which began late Tuesday night, were slated to be completed within the day. “The machinery developed a technical snag, which unfortunately happened at a high-impact point on the carriageway. The remaining work will be completed shortly, and we will ensure mitigation measures to prevent major disruptions,” the official noted.
For daily commuters, however, the incident was only the latest in a string of mobility setbacks on Sinhagad Road—a corridor that has seen persistent congestion despite the construction of flyovers and junction upgrades. Residents pointed out that the service roads and under-flyover stretches remain unfinished, forcing traffic to merge abruptly and creating chronic choke points. An urban mobility expert said the corridor exemplifies the consequences of fragmented project execution: “Even when major structures like flyovers come up, incomplete ancillary works nullify the benefit. Integrated planning, night-time construction, and temporary diversions are essential for managing live traffic in dense urban areas.”
Commuters from Dhayari, Vitthalwadi, Hingne, and Santosh Hall said that the lack of alternate routes exacerbates delays, heightening frustration during morning and evening peak hours. Some also argued that the absence of dedicated bus lanes and the rising dependency on private vehicles worsen congestion, signalling the need for broader mobility reforms. While the immediate issue was resolved once the stalled equipment was removed, stakeholders emphasised that Pune’s rapidly growing traffic load requires more resilient planning. Sustainable mobility planners have long argued for synchronised project timelines, behaviour-oriented traffic management, and better integration of public transport to reduce dependence on private vehicles.
As PMC pushes forward with its water supply upgrades, commuters expect stricter adherence to night-work schedules and quicker completion of pending stretches. A coordinated approach, they say, is essential not just for easing daily travel but for building a more efficient, low-carbon mobility ecosystem for the city.
Pune Commuters Stuck After Earthmover Breakdown Creates Long Jams On Sinhagad Road
