PUNE: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has decided to operate a few of its buses from Gurajwadi instead of Kataj Chowk. The decision was taken after several complaints of traffic congestions received by the transport body.
The buses mainly for Pimpri, Bhosari, Nigadi, Chinchwad, Hinjawadi and other long routes in the city operate from here.
Recently, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had given a piece of land to PMPML at Gurajwadi. The main Katraj Chowk experience heavy traffic jam during peak hours. A few accidents have also taken place due to sloppy road near Katraj bus depot. Even citizens and traffic police had also requested to relocate the bus stand from Katraj Chowk due to frequent accidents.
The PMPML has taken several steps to avoid accidents, but due to buses parked at the chowk and the passengers’ crowd, the traffic problem was not solved. The PMPML administration had requested PMC to provide land where the buses can be parked and operate. The PMC had given the land on Thursday.
“On a temporary basis, the two acres of land was reconstructed and roads which approach the land were also constructed. From this place, as many as 90 buses will depart and arrive. The buses from the old stand - Katraj Chowk - will operate for Pune station and Lohegaon. Around 10-15 buses will operate from the old stand. It will take 1-2 minutes to arrive from Gujrawadi to Katraj Chowk,” said PMPML Traffic Manager Anant Waghmare.
