Traffic chaos unabated near Wakdewadi ST bus terminus

Pune: A stretch of the Old Mumbai-Pune Road, which falls just outside the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) Wakdewadi bus terminus, has been witnessing unmitigated traffic snarls in peak hours for a while now.
Commuters pointed out that these jams, which get worse in morning and evening rush hours, are primarily due to haphazard parking and halting of ST buses, autos and private vehicles.

Many commuters on this stretch, who were caught in slow-moving traffic on Monday morning as well, said MSRTC needs to urgently find a dedicated space to park its buses instead of using the road and causing major convenience to other vehicle users.
Commuter Akshay Jadhav, who often travels on this road, said, “With limited space inside the MSRTC terminus, buses queue up on the roadside obstructing movement of other vehicles. The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) bus stop is operational right outside the ST terminus, adding to the melee.”
MSRTC operates more than 600 bus trips every day from the said terminus to various destinations across the state. The drivers park several buses on the roadside or even the footpaths here during night hours, owing to lack of parking space inside the terminus.
Local residents also pointed out that traffic chaos has increased in the area since the bus terminus was shifted to Wakdewadi to facilitate Pune Metro work at its original location in Shivajinagar. Sanjay Kadam, a resident, said, “People used to turn from a median puncture located in front of the bus terminus. This has been closed. So, commuters are forced to take a U-turn from Hatchery Chowk and also deal with traffic jams to follow. All this has increased travel time.”
Mahesh Thakar, another resident, added, “I recently faced a small accident outside the terminus when an auto travelling in the wrong lane hit me. We want the administration to regulate this traffic and ensure that no buses and autorickshaws halt outside the terminus.”
When asked by TOI, an MSRTC official said, “We have already deployed staff to manage bus movement at the terminus entry and exit points. We have also approached the local police for action against illegal parking of private vehicles on footpaths and halting of autos outside the terminus.”
TOI had earlier reported that the authorities, including MSRTC and Maha Metro, are working on a plan to re-shift the terminus back to its earlier location in Shivajinagar after Metro work is finished at that spot.