Pune Traffic Police Finalizes One-Way Routes in Viman Nagar to Curb Congestion

Viman Nagar, 1st December 2025: In a move to ensure smoother vehicular movement and enhance road safety, the Pune City Traffic Police announced permanent one-way routes in Viman Nagar on Monday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Himmat Jadhav, issued the final notification confirming the implementation of a one-way traffic system on key routes in the Viman Nagar area. This decision follows a trial period initiated on November 15, 2025, during which the traffic department solicited and reviewed suggestions and objections from the public regarding the experimental layout.

The new traffic flow regulations are effective immediately. Emergency vehicles, including fire brigades, police vehicles, and ambulances, are exempt from these restrictions.

Key Traffic Changes:

The notification outlines specific changes for commuters navigating the Shrikrishna Hotel and Gangapuram Chowk areas:

One-Way Route 1: Traffic moving from Shrikrishna Hotel Chowk towards Datta Mandir Chowk and further to CCD Chowk has been declared a strict One-Way route.

One-Way Route 2: The road from Gangapuram Chowk to Kailas Super Market Chowk, proceeding towards Ganpati Mandir Chowk, is now a designated One-Way route.

Two-Way Corridors: While the main arterial flows have been restricted, the connecting roads remain open for traffic in both directions.

Specifically, the routes from CCD Chowk to Gangapuram Chowk, Datta Mandir Chowk to Kailas Super Market Chowk, and Ganpati Mandir Chowk to Shrikrishna Hotel Chowk will continue to operate as Two-Way streets.

DCP Himmat Jadhav stated that these measures are being implemented under the Motor Vehicles Act to streamline traffic flow in the busy airport vicinity. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been directed to install appropriate signage within seven days to guide motorists.

Meanwhile, a section of residents and local business owners in Viman Nagar have raised strong objections to the one-way traffic system, alleging that the move has led to severe inconvenience and increased safety risks in the neighbourhood.

A formal representation was submitted on Friday to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Additional CP Manoj Patil and DCP Traffic Himmat Jadhav, with senior Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials also informed.

“This decision is causing major hardship for thousands of families and directly affecting business income,” said Qaneez Sukhrani, Convenor of Viman Nagar Citizens Forum. “Police must understand that comparing Viman Nagar to FC Road or JM Road is completely flawed — the geography and road network here are very different.”

Residents criticised what they describe as an unnecessary full-day restriction created only to manage a peak-hour traffic problem. They have demanded deployment of wardens and traffic police personnel during rush hours instead of blanket one-way rules.

Local shop owners say business has been hit hard. “Customers don’t want to take long detours just to come to nearby shops. Sales are already down,” said Umesh Magar, who represents several business establishments in the area.

Another concern raised in the representation is overspeeding between junctions due to the one-way flow. Parents fear for pedestrians, especially senior citizens and school children who now struggle to cross the road safely.

“Vehicles are speeding dangerously. It has become risky even to step out and walk,” said Kareem Shaikh, a resident. Citizens are demanding speed breakers and raised pedestrian crossings approved by road safety norms.

The complaint also highlights unregulated parking as a major reason behind traffic chaos, particularly around Kailash Market, Datta Mandir Chowk, and near the Vimantal Police Station road. “There is zero enforcement on illegal parking. Instead of punishing residents, police should fix the real issues,” said another resident.

Street food vendors blocking lanes around hotspots such as CCD Chowk, Phoenix Mall Road and Ganpati Mandir were also named among congestion contributors. Citizens want coordinated action with PMC’s anti-encroachment department to remove roadside obstructions.

From people struggling to access daily essential shops to businesses reporting income losses, citizens say the one-way system has disrupted daily life. “We all coexist here. Traffic rules cannot destroy the livelihood of small vendors and shop owners,” said Akshay Pokale, who owns a food outlet in the area.

The group has urged the traffic police to revoke the new system and restore earlier routes while exploring practical measures to improve movement without distressing locals.

“We appreciate the intent to manage traffic,” Sukhrani said, “but the solution cannot become worse than the problem.”