- Pune traffic congestion projected to rise significantly by 2025.
- Flyovers are 'point solutions', often shifting congestion elsewhere.
- Integrated public transport, junction redesign crucial for Pune's mobility.
Pune, one of Maharashtra’s major cultural and IT centres, has been struggling with worsening traffic congestion for several years. According to the TomTom Traffic Index, congestion in the city is projected to rise from 65.7 per cent in 2024 to 71.1 per cent in 2025, highlighting the growing pressure on Pune’s roads.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Maharashtra government have undertaken several flyover projects in an attempt to ease traffic movement. However, despite these infrastructure projects, congestion continues across several parts of the city, raising questions about whether flyovers alone can address Pune’s traffic problem.
Why Are Flyovers Not Solving Pune’s Traffic?
According to a Times of India report, large amounts of public money have been spent on flyovers designed to reduce congestion. However, commuters continue to face bottlenecks, particularly around the points where flyovers begin and end.
Experts and commuters point out that while flyovers can allow traffic to move faster on elevated sections, they can also shift congestion to the roads below or at the landing points.
Karve Road-Kothrud Route Shows The Problem
The flyover on the Karve Road-Kothrud route has improved movement for motorists using the elevated stretch. However, traffic remains a major problem for commuters travelling through Law College Road below.
The presence of a metro station, bus stop and flyover traffic in the same area creates multiple points of conflict, particularly during peak hours.
Sinhagad Road Flyover Faces Similar Issues
A similar situation can be seen on the Sinhagad Road flyover. Daily commuters told TOI that traffic movement is relatively smoother during non-peak hours. During peak periods, however, vehicles continue to queue at both ends of the flyover, much like they did before its construction.
Flyovers Offer A 'Point Solution', Not A Citywide Fix
Transportation experts argue that flyovers should not be treated as a standalone answer to urban congestion.
Sagar Kolapkar, assistant professor of transportation engineering at MIT-WPU, said flyovers initially increase road capacity and allow more vehicles to move through a particular corridor. However, this can eventually attract additional traffic and contribute to congestion elsewhere.
He described flyovers as a 'point solution', while Pune requires a 'network solution' that considers traffic movement across the entire city.
Pedestrians And Cyclists Also Face Risks
The traffic problem is not confined to motorised vehicles. Flyovers tend to prompt cars to speed up, which further endangers pedestrians and cyclists.
Former city planner Pratap Rawal observed that the number of vehicles in Pune is increasing and that the available road space continues to be insufficient. He said flyovers built without planning for the future may be of temporary benefit and not solve the city's transportation problems.
What Can Pune Do Beyond Building Flyovers?
Urban transport experts suggest that Pune needs a broader approach to mobility rather than relying primarily on flyovers. Some of the measures include:
* Better public transport integration: PMPML buses, metro services and autorickshaws should complement one another and provide seamless connectivity.
* Junction redesign: Major intersections can be scientifically redesigned to improve traffic flow.
* Signal synchronisation: Traffic signals across important corridors can be coordinated to reduce unnecessary stoppages.
* Parking management: Measures such as 'Pay and Park' can help discourage unnecessary use of private vehicles and prevent roadside parking.
* Focus on moving people: Transport planning should prioritise the movement of people rather than simply increasing the number of vehicles that roads can accommodate.