Pimpri Chinchwad Traffic Police’s Initiatives Slash Travel Time on Pune-Nashik Highway On Moshi-Chakan Stretch

Chakan, 4th June 2023: The travel time on the busy 15-kilometer stretch between Moshi and Chakan on the Pune-Nashik highway has been significantly reduced, thanks to the creative and consistent efforts of the Pimpri Chinchwad traffic police. Commuters can now traverse the distance in just 25 minutes, compared to the previous 39-minute journey.

This particular stretch of road serves as a crucial link connecting Chakan MIDC, a major market at Khed, popular pilgrimage sites such as Bhimashankar and Lenyadri, historical attractions like Shivneri Fort, the Bhimashankar Forest Reserve, and the Shikrapur-Chakan and Talegaon-Chakan bypass roads. It further leads to Nashik and Dhule.

The high volume of traffic on this route, with approximately 200 multi-axle vehicles, over 400 heavy goods vehicles, around 250 buses, more than 600 cars, and over 500 two-wheelers plying between Moshi and Chakan MIDC daily, has often resulted in congestion and delays.

To address this issue, the Chakan traffic division of the Pimpri Chinchwad Traffic Police conducted a detailed analysis of the travel time during peak hours between March and April. The records indicated that the journey took 39 minutes on March 21, 34 minutes on April 3, and 31 minutes on April 10. However, since April 17, the travel time has consistently remained between 27 and 25 minutes, thanks to the effective measures implemented by the traffic police.

Assistant Police Inspector Machhindra Adling, from the Chakan traffic division, explained that the reduction in travel time was achieved through corrective actions taken at various bottlenecks along the highway, including Spicer Chowk, Chakan-Talegaon Bypass Chowk, Ambethan Chowk, Manik Chowk, and Chimbli Phata.

The initiative to decongest the highway stretch was initiated after a meeting between the Pimpri Chinchwad police commissioner, other senior police officials, and representatives of the Federation of Chakan Industries. The meeting highlighted the long travel time, frequent traffic snarls, and the potential for accidents on the route.

One of the key steps taken was to allow free left turns at all chowks on the highway, enabling vehicles to exit without halting and creating more space for through traffic. The timing of the green signal was also adjusted to facilitate smoother movement, with allocated time for right turns and U-turns.

Significant improvements were made by filling up and resurfacing road shoulders, thereby increasing the road width and preventing vehicles from toppling over uneven surfaces. Strict actions were taken to remove encroachments by vendors along the carriageway.

Other measures included puncturing dividers at strategic points to reduce unnecessary detours and introducing a rotary system on the Alandi Phata to St Goben Company road, ensuring a seamless flow of traffic. The removal of an island at Chakan Chowk and a signal at Talegaon bypass road chowk further contributed to the overall improvement.

Joint Commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad Police, Dr. Sanjay Shinde, mentioned that further reduction in travel time can be expected once the National Highway Authority of India completes corrective works at specific spots. The authorities are working in coordination to ensure timely completion of all tasks before the monsoon season arrives.