Pune’s Swargate subway, a critical artery connecting Volga Chowk to Sarasbaug, is set to remain closed for maintenance from the night of September 19 until early September 22, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) announced. The closure, timed between 11 pm on Friday and early Monday morning, aims to facilitate essential repair work while minimising disruption to daytime commuters.
Officials from PMC’s project department confirmed that the maintenance will be conducted during night hours to ensure safety and operational efficiency. The Swargate subway, situated at one of Pune’s busiest intersections, handles significant daily traffic, including both private vehicles and public transport. As such, authorities have advised residents and commuters to plan alternative routes and remain vigilant during this short disruption. The PMC has highlighted the importance of this intervention for long-term traffic safety and infrastructure integrity. Experts note that night-time closures are the most effective approach to completing structural and maintenance work without creating prolonged congestion during peak hours. Motorists and pedestrians have been urged to cooperate with civic authorities to maintain smooth traffic flow around Swargate Chowk.
Traffic diversion plans are being implemented across adjacent roads to manage vehicle flow efficiently. Authorities emphasised that despite the temporary inconvenience, such periodic maintenance is essential to prevent major structural issues and ensure that commuters continue to benefit from safe, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. Urban planning analysts suggest that planned closures for maintenance work reflect a broader move by the PMC to prioritise sustainable city mobility. With increasing vehicle density and growing pressure on urban transport nodes, targeted interventions like these aim to reduce long-term congestion, maintain infrastructure, and enhance commuter experience.
Residents and office-goers are recommended to schedule travel outside the closure hours and make use of alternate corridors. PMC officials assured that adequate signage, traffic personnel, and digital updates will be provided to guide commuters through detours effectively. Additionally, public transport operators, including buses traversing the Swargate junction, are adjusting schedules to mitigate delays. While temporary disruptions often create short-term inconvenience, officials emphasised the wider benefits for Pune’s road network. Effective night-time maintenance ensures minimal carbon emissions compared with daytime construction and aligns with the city’s commitment to creating eco-friendly, gender-neutral, and equitable urban transport systems.
By prioritising careful scheduling, traffic management, and public awareness, the PMC aims to balance essential infrastructure work with commuter convenience. This initiative highlights the evolving approach of Pune’s civic authorities in promoting sustainable and safe urban mobility for the city’s residents.
Also Read : Mumbai Century Old Elphinstone Bridge Demolition Begins As MahaRail Seeks 82 Traffic Blocks
