Pune traffic police have restricted the movement of heavy vehicles towards Katraj Chowk from several routes as construction continues on the underground Swargate–Katraj metro corridor, with diversions and parking bans introduced to prevent congestion at the busy junction.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakre has appealed to operators of dumpers, cement mixers, trailers and containers to avoid Katraj Chowk and follow designated alternative routes. The restrictions cover vehicles approaching the junction from Pune, Satara, Mumbai and Solapur-side corridors.
Heavy vehicles travelling towards Katraj through the old tunnel on the Pune–Satara highway will be stopped at Shindewadi. Vehicles using the new Katraj tunnel on the Satara road will face restrictions at Navale Bridge. Heavy vehicles coming from the Warje section of the Mumbai–Bengaluru bypass will also not be allowed to proceed towards Katraj beyond Navale Bridge.
Vehicles approaching from Solapur through Hadapsar, Manterwadi and the Katraj–Kondhwa Road will be stopped beyond Manterwadi Chowk. Restrictions will also apply to heavy vehicles entering Katraj through Bopdev Ghat and the Katraj–Kondhwa Road.
Traffic from Market Yard, Gangadham and Bibwewadi will be diverted. Vehicles travelling from Swargate towards Katraj Chowk will not be permitted to enter the junction. Residents travelling from Katraj towards Swargate have also been advised to avoid Katraj Chowk and use alternative roads while construction activity continues.
The traffic police have identified alternative routes for heavy vehicles through Navale Bridge, the new Katraj tunnel, Khed Shivapur, Saswad, Garade, Chimbali, Manterwadi and Wadki. Another route will pass through Navale Bridge, the new Katraj tunnel, Khed Shivapur, Garade, Bhivri, Bopdev Ghat, Yevalewadi, Pisoli and Manterwadi.
State transport buses and other passenger vehicles travelling from Satara towards Swargate have been advised to turn right near Navale Bridge and proceed towards Swargate via Katraj. The directions are intended to keep passenger traffic moving while limiting the entry of large construction and freight vehicles into the congested junction.
Parking has also been prohibited on both sides of several roads in the area. The affected stretches include the road between Wonder City Society and Katraj Bypass Chowk, the section from Katraj Bypass Chowk to More Baug, and roads linking the bypass junction with Rajas Society and the old Katraj tunnel.
The restrictions come as work proceeds on the underground metro connection between Swargate and Katraj. Motorists and heavy-vehicle operators have been asked to follow the diversions and parking restrictions to help prevent bottlenecks around the construction zone.
