Traffic Chaos in Lohgaon: Daily Gridlock on Pune Airport Road Leaves Commuters Helpless

Lohgaon, 20th August 2025: Residents and commuters in Lohgaon continue to face daily traffic nightmares on the Wagholi-Lohgaon–Pune Airport Road, particularly near the Canara Bank junction, due to the absence of traffic police and functioning signals. The stretch, which connects Wagholi, Lohgaon bus stop, and the airport, witnesses a massive flow of vehicles throughout the day.

The situation worsens during morning and evening peak hours when hundreds of vehicles, including heavy trucks, converge on the narrow stretch. With no official management in place, road users often end up blocking each other’s way.

“Not only traffic management and infrastructure but people are also responsible. If they follow lane discipline, such jams won’t take place. Vehicles block the way for those coming from the opposite direction, leading to gridlock,” said a frustrated commuter.

Manish Singh, a Lohgaon resident, pointed out that the presence of heavy vehicles further complicates the scene. “When trucks and tempos get stuck at the junction, the entire road comes to a standstill,” he said.

Local resident Sandesh Jadhav highlighted the rapid urbanisation of the area as one of the root causes. “In the last decade, Lohgaon has seen massive residential development. Most residents travel to different parts of Pune for work, leading to heavy traffic during rush hours. Today, there was a jam even in the afternoon due to heavy vehicles. These traffic snarls often stretch for two to three kilometres. In the absence of police, people themselves are forced to manage the situation,” he said.

Commuters have demanded immediate intervention from the Pune Traffic Police and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to address the worsening traffic crisis. Suggestions include deploying traffic wardens at key junctions, road widening, installing signals, and restricting the movement of heavy vehicles during peak hours.

Until then, Lohgaon residents fear that the daily grind of bumper-to-bumper traffic will only get worse.