Traffic cops to issue notice to station master of Khadki

Traffic cops to issue notice to station master of Khadki

PUNE: Commuters had a harrowing experience on Friday night due to traffic jams in Khadki, on old Pune-Mumbai Highway and Elphinstone Road. 

The traffic jams, which began at around 7.30 pm and lasted till around midnight, were caused after an empty goods train halted while travelling from the 512 Army Base Workshop towards the Khadki railway station. 

Many commuters had to stand in the rain, as the jams stretched from Nashik Phata to Wakadewadi as well as on the Khadki Bazaar road. 

Many people shared photos of the traffic jams on social media and also shared their experiences. The traffic jams were compounded as a PMPML bus broke down near the railway station. 

While the authorities started the blame game, the traffic branch of the city police has decided to issue a notice to the Khadki Railway station master for allowing the train to stop, knowing there was heavy traffic on Friday. 

People’s Woes
Daily commuters were on their way home after office hours. “Generally, a traffic jam is expected during the peak hours on the old Mumbai-Pune highway. On Friday, there was a massive traffic jam due to the heavy rainfall, and the broken-down PMPML bus on the highway added to the woes,” said Pranab Chatterjee, a techie working in an IT company in Wakadewadi.   “I was stranded for at least an hour near the All Saint’s Church Chowk, after which I somehow managed to turn towards Khadki Market, where the traffic came to a halt. I took a U-turn and took a detour from Aundh road to Pimpri,” he said.

Amol Deshpande of Pimpri Chinchwad Citizen’s Forum was stuck for four hours near Harris Bridge, Dapodi. Worst traffic jams were witnessed at Wakadewadi, Khadki, Bopodi and Dapodi. “I took a PMPML bus at 8.30 pm and reached Harris Bridge at 10.30 pm. The 4-km travel took 2 hours. A bus was broken down and behind it, two buses and 7-8 vehicles were stuck. I reached Nigdi at 11.30 pm,” he said.

What caused traffic jams
According to the traffic branch officials, tanks were being taken to Army Base Workshop for repair on July 17, but there was no jam as Railways and Army had informed about it in advance and vehicle movement was not disturbed as cops were there to manage traffic. 

Police Inspector Sangeeta Patil, in-charge of Khadki traffic division, said, “On Friday, the empty goods train was returning but we were not informed about it. During peak hours, there is always heavy traffic. It was Friday, so there was heavy vehicle movement than usual. After the train stopped mid-way blocking the traffic on highway and Elphinstone Road, we were on duty till midnight. She further added, “I will write to the Khadki Railway station master about the timing of the train movement and ask them to intimate us in advance to avoid inconveniences to commuters. I have also spoken to Army officials.”

When contacted, Manoj Jhawar, spokesperson of Pune Railway division, told Sakal Times, “On Friday, the 31 empty wagons were being brought back to the Khadki station. Traffic was stopped for 20 minutes at the highway side and 40 minutes near the Kirloskar factory on Elphinstone road. The train movement was slow. The Railways take precautions every time when the train passes through, as there are encroachments near the tracks and people cross the railway lines. We always request citizens to cooperate with the railways.”

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com