Ajit Pawar Slams Metro Officials Over Traffic Chaos In Pune; Threatens Rs 10 Crore Penalty

Pune, 14th June 2025: Pune has been grappling with relentless rainfall over the past few days, leading to severe waterlogging on roads and worsening traffic conditions. The situation has been further aggravated by debris left behind from ongoing metro construction work, causing significant inconvenience to residents.

In response to the growing public frustration, Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar issued a stern warning to metro officials during a recent meeting with the traffic department. He held the metro project directly responsible for the worsening traffic congestion in the city.

Pawar instructed that all construction debris in metro project areas must be cleared within two days, failing which punitive action will be taken. He specifically criticized the disruption caused by the Hinjawadi-Tata Metro corridor and declared that if the obstructions in that area are not resolved by Monday, a penalty notice of ₹10 crore will be sent to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).

The rapid progress of metro construction in Pune has come at a cost. Piles of debris have accumulated on the roads, and recent rains have turned them into slush, worsening road conditions and causing traffic snarls. In areas like Hinjawadi, traffic has become chaotic, with both daily commuters and religious pilgrims on the Palakhi route facing long hours of gridlock. Poor road conditions and waterlogging have made commuting increasingly difficult for Pune residents.

Ajit Pawar did not mince words during the meeting. He demanded immediate action to ensure that devotees travelling on the Palakhi route are not inconvenienced. Senior traffic officials and metro representatives were present at the meeting, where Pawar expressed strong displeasure at how metro work has impacted the city’s transportation network.

He reiterated that while the metro project is of great importance, it should not come at the cost of public inconvenience. The two-day ultimatum to clear the debris reflects the seriousness of the issue. Pawar emphasized that if no visible improvement is made, the metro administration will face monetary penalties.

Residents have echoed the concerns raised in the meeting. One local citizen shared, “We face trouble daily because of the water and debris on the roads.” The traffic congestion has particularly affected IT professionals commuting through the Hinjawadi area, where delays have become routine.