Pune University Road flyover delay angers commuters as traffic worsens
Pune’s much-awaited University Road flyover, seen as a critical solution to the city’s traffic gridlock, remains unopened months after its promised inauguration, leaving commuters grappling with worsening jams and mounting frustration. Designed as a two-tier structure carrying the Metro above and traffic below, the project was expected to ease congestion at University Chowk, but delays in opening have instead intensified chaos, sparking questions over poor planning and political hesitation.
The flyover, constructed by the metropolitan development authority, was designed to serve as a dual-purpose facility carrying the Metro line on the upper tier and providing road connectivity on the lower. Once operational, it is expected to connect Aundh, Shivajinagar, and Pashan more efficiently, potentially decongesting one of the busiest arterial stretches in Pune. Yet, instead of relief, the ongoing barricades, diversions, and stalled inauguration have turned the daily commute into a frustrating ordeal.Commuters argue that the construction work itself has narrowed the roads and added to the delays. Daily travellers point out that passing through Ganeshkhind Road often takes 20–30 minutes longer than before, particularly during peak hours or when rains trigger waterlogging. The anxiety is not just about lost time residents in the neighbourhood also report worsening air quality from construction dust and continuous noise from honking as vehicles jostle through bottlenecks.
Several residents and professionals have publicly voiced their disappointment. They argue that despite repeated assurances that at least one section of the flyover would open by early May, no progress has been made. Concerns are also being raised about the lack of transparency, with citizens questioning whether the delay is caused by incomplete technical work or the search for a politically significant date and chief guest. Adding to the public frustration, a political party recently staged a symbolic protest at the site. Members broke coconuts, cut ribbons, and declared the flyover “inaugurated” on behalf of the citizens, highlighting how a finished project is being withheld from public use. Their message resonated with local commuters, who feel that civic amenities should not be stalled for ceremonial reasons.Urban planning experts say the standoff reflects the larger issue of coordination failures in Indian infrastructure delivery.
While the engineering work is largely complete, the lack of timely decision-making has left thousands of commuters trapped in daily gridlock. Analysts caution that such delays erode public trust in large-scale projects, especially at a time when cities are expected to move towards greener, more sustainable, and more commuter-friendly transport systems.For Pune, the timely opening of the University Road flyover is not merely a matter of convenience but also an essential step in reducing emissions from idling vehicles and ensuring mobility equity. Until the ribbon is formally cut, however, the city’s busiest traffic corridor will remain an everyday nightmare for its residents.
