Pune Nagar Road Traffic: Metro Construction Worsens Congestion Between Viman Nagar and Wagholi
Viman Nagar, 5th October 2026: Ongoing metro construction between Viman Nagar Chowk and Wagholi has intensified traffic congestion on Nagar Road, with commuters facing long queues and slow-moving traffic in both directions during peak hours.
The road has been narrowed at several locations due to construction barricades, further slowing traffic on one of Pune’s busiest arterial roads. Congestion is particularly severe along the Viman Nagar-Kharadi-Wagholi stretch.
Metro work between Kharadi Bypass and Mundhwa Bridge has further reduced the available road width. Barricades installed at construction sites have restricted vehicle movement, while work near Sainathnagar in Kharadi has added to traffic pressure on the approach to Mundhwa Bridge.
Residents and regular commuters have questioned the decision to undertake major metro and underpass works on Nagar Road without first ensuring adequate alternative routes. The Kharadi-Shivane road, which could have provided an alternative route for traffic, remains incomplete, forcing a large number of vehicles to continue using Nagar Road.
Traffic movement has also been affected by the closure of Shastrinagar Chowk. Vehicles travelling towards Yerawada are facing additional congestion, with traffic queues extending from the Shastrinagar area towards Aga Khan Palace and Ramwadi.
The combined impact of construction work and traffic diversions has made daily commuting increasingly difficult for residents of Viman Nagar, Kharadi, Kalyani Nagar, Yerawada and Wagholi, as well as thousands of employees travelling to IT and commercial establishments in the area.
Nagar Road has faced traffic congestion for years, but commuters say authorities have not adequately planned for the additional traffic burden created by major infrastructure projects. They have called for alternative routes to be completed before undertaking work that significantly reduces the road’s carrying capacity.
“Before starting major metro and underpass works on Nagar Road, the authorities should have first completed the stalled Kharadi-Shivane road and made it available as an alternative route. Instead, construction has been taken up on an already congested road without adequate traffic planning, and ordinary commuters are paying the price,” a local resident said.
The resident also criticised repeated inspections by elected representatives and officials whenever congestion becomes severe.
“When the traffic situation worsens, there are inspections and photo sessions. But after that, there is rarely any concrete action. Once the public starts complaining again, another inspection takes place. This cycle needs to stop. The administration must be held accountable for implementing permanent solutions,” the resident said.
Residents have urged the Pune Municipal Corporation, Pune Traffic Police and metro authorities to jointly prepare an immediate traffic management plan and provide viable alternative routes. They have also called for major infrastructure works on Nagar Road to be planned in a way that minimises disruption to commuters.
