Pune: Daily School Commute Turns Into Nightmare For Students In Sus Gaon Amid Traffic Chaos

Tejas Navale
Sus Gaon, 28th June 2023: The bustling city of Pune, renowned for its rapid growth and vibrant lifestyle, is now grappling with a pressing challenge as traffic congestion reaches alarming levels. In a distressing development, students residing near Sus Gaon, particularly in the vicinity of Kohinoor Falcon Tower, find themselves trapped in severe traffic congestion, turning their daily school commute into a recurring nightmare.

Since the reopening of schools after the summer break, these young learners have consistently been arriving late due to the intense traffic that engulfs the area during morning office hours. This situation has raised concerns about the loss of valuable teaching time, prompting residents to demand immediate action from the administration to resolve the problem.
Students traveling by school buses, cabs, and private vehicles alike have fallen victim to the traffic that plagues the roads leading to their educational institutions. Local citizens attribute the root cause of this issue to inadequate road infrastructure and narrow lanes, unable to accommodate the growing number of vehicles traversing the area.

Om Velani, a resident of Kohinoor Falcon Tower, emphasized, “It is evident that the existing roads require expansion, and new diversions must be created to alleviate congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow.”

He further added, “During the monsoon season, commuters face numerous pitfalls and challenges, leading to minor accidents on these roads. As parents, we are deeply concerned about our children’s safety due to the recurring nature of these issues. Whenever a vehicle gets stuck on the narrow road, it exacerbates the traffic woes faced by the students.”

Parents are expressing worries about the adverse effects of traffic-related stress on their children’s well-being and academic performance. What used to be a normal half-hour journey for students now takes them one to one and a half hours, wasting a significant portion of their time on travel.

Prachi Manchalwar, another resident of the building, voiced her concerns, stating, “Sections near Shell petrol pump, HP petrol pump, and Vidya Valley Road pose difficulties for vehicles to make easy turns, resulting in traffic build-up. At times, the absence of traffic police worsens the situation, leading to hours-long traffic woes, causing productivity losses and mounting stress for all. It is hindering children’s productivity, and they are becoming more fatigued due to this hectic schedule.”

Furthermore, residents of Kohinoor Falcon Tower and neighboring areas fear that the traffic situation will only worsen in the near future. With companies gradually calling their employees back to the office, roads leading towards Baner, Wakad, the Pirangut area, and Hinjawadi are witnessing an increasing volume of vehicles on a daily basis. This concerning trend is particularly evident during office hours, from 8 am to 11 am in the morning and 5.30 pm to 9 pm in the evening.

Dr. Nikhil Patil, a long-time resident of the area, explained, “Due to heavy traffic on alternate roads, office employees from other areas are also diverting their vehicles through this narrow road to reach their destinations earlier. However, as this road (Near Sus Gaon Road, Opposite the CNG station) is not wide enough to accommodate such a large number of vehicles, it often gets congested during weekdays.”

The traffic troubles are not limited to weekdays alone; they extend into weekends as well. This particular road is frequently used by weekend travelers heading towards popular destinations like Lavasa, Mulshi, and beyond. The influx of tourists and recreational visitors exacerbates the congestion, causing frustration and inconvenience for both residents and travelers.

Sunny’s World Resort, located approximately two kilometers from the road in question, is a significant concern for residents. During events such as weddings or visits by important dignitaries, traffic is redirected to the narrow road, resulting in long queues of vehicles. The urgent need for intervention by local authorities has become evident.

Pravin Sharma, chairman of Kohinoor Falcon Tower, has long been advocating for a solution to this issue. Sharma emphasized the necessity of expanding existing roads, creating new routes, installing speed breakers, and implementing effective traffic management strategies to alleviate congestion. Given the projected increase in vehicles in the near future, finding sustainable solutions is crucial.

According to local traffic police personnel, the road in question is indeed narrow, and encroachments from both sides contribute to the problem. The Municipal Corporation has granted permission for shops, hotels, and petrol pumps without considering alternative road services. The municipal corporation’s negligence regarding this matter, coupled with the support of local politicians for these shop owners, further exacerbates the problem for residents.

Furthermore, there are 28 smaller and larger roads that intersect with the main road, which significantly contributes to traffic congestion. Sachin Kadam, Assistant Police Inspector of the Bavdhan Traffic Division, expressed concern about the intersections at Shivba Chowk, Tapkir Chowk, and Shivmalhar Chowk. The presence of several lawns and large hotels on the road often worsens traffic problems for local residents. However, due to limited space on both sides, the police face limitations in addressing such cases.

Moreover, when significant events occur at Symbiosis College in Lavale or nearby lawns host large wedding ceremonies with important dignitaries in attendance, a significant number of traffic personnel must be diverted there. As a result, this particular road often lacks sufficient traffic police manpower.

Kadam suggested that widening the road by five feet on both sides, followed by the installation of dividers, may help resolve the issue. He believes that this solution could alleviate the concerns of the community.