Pune: Traffic Jams Hit Lonavala and Khandala as Tourists Flock for New Year Celebrations
Lonavala, 31st December 2024: A large number of tourists arrived in the Lonavala and Khandala areas of Pune District to celebrate the New Year. Traffic congestion was observed on the old Mumbai-Pune highway and at several locations in Maval Taluka.
From this morning, tourists from Mumbai and Pune began arriving in large numbers. Many families travelled by car, causing traffic jams, particularly in the Khandala area and the Gawali Wada area in Lonavala. Long queues of vehicles resulted in delays for drivers heading towards Mumbai. Congestion was also reported on the old Mumbai-Pune highway passing through Lonavala.
Many tourists booked bungalows and farmhouses in the Lonavala and Khandala areas, while others reserved tents in the Pawana Nagar area to enjoy New Year’s Eve with views of the Pawana Dam backwaters. Various programs were organized to welcome tourists and provide entertainment.
To manage traffic, teams from the Pune Rural Police Force were deployed in Lonavala and Khandala, with special arrangements made for traffic management. The Lonavala Police confirmed the congestion at various locations due to the heavy influx of tourists.
