Pune: Traffic chaos between Dhobi ghat and the Swargate bus terminus on Shankarseth Road has become a daily ordeal for commuters, who said the rumble on Monday evening – when several vehicles crawled along the stretch – was expected to be a revelation for the authorities to make some changes to ensure a smooth flow of vehicles.
A major cause of the grunts are state transit buses coming from Satara Road and turning right, either along the Swargate flyover or the road below to reach Vega’s midpoint for a U-turn and move around the busy terminus. Buses often line up to turn around and end up blocking access to the underpass that provides access to Sarasbaug. This blocks traffic for a long time, sometimes for more than 30 minutes. It causes a ripple effect on vehicle traffic along other lanes.

The ripple effect of this was felt from 4-4.30pm on Monday, all the way to the Dhobi ghat from Swargate. Vehicles crawled to take over Shankarseth Road flyover. However, several vehicles failed to cross the flyover, turned around from its middle and descended in the wrong direction. The vehicles then took a right turn onto the road below the flyover towards Seven Loves Chowk, from where many motorists detoured to Nana Path to continue their journey.
Swanand Kadam, a software engineer from Sinhagad Road, said, “I work in Kharadi and use Shankarseth Road. ST and PMPML buses cause grunts, especially on the section between Wega Center and Swargate Chowk. It’s a nightmare.”
City activist and PMP Pravasi Manch Chairman Jugal Rathi said, “I will not blame Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMMPL) for the chaos at Swargate. There is an infrastructure problem. Where is the space for vehicles, small or heavy, along this stretch? The problem will only be solved after an infrastructure-based solution has been developed for the entire area. »
Deputy Police Commissioner (Traffic) Rahul Shrirame said: “The matter has been discussed with MSRTC officials. We wrote them a letter to allow separate entry and exit of the buses at the depot. Only a narrow stretch of road is available after the level divider. But it remains occupied by MSRTC buses. If two or three buses line up during rush hour, it disorganizes the vehicle. »
He added: “The Swargate ST repository has two entry and exit points. One of the entry/exit points is located on the Pune-Satara road. The other is on the road to Shankarseth. We asked the MSRTC to keep one point for buses to enter the depot and another to exit. If buses enter or exit the colony facility, chaos is inevitable. We will discuss the matter again with them.
An official associated with the Pune branch of the MSRTC said, “We have taken steps to reduce the problems on Shankarsheth Road. The Swargate depot now has two doors, one for the exit and the other for the entrance. Guards have been placed at the exit gate to ensure the movement of the buses is coordinated. Inside the bus stop, additional space has been created for parking.
He said: “Problems sometimes arise when the traffic lights at the main roundabout in the road do not work properly. The police had written to us and we took corrective action. The steps are also frequently reviewed.