Pune: 1,278 Vehicles Penalised on Airport Road in 7 Days, 159 Cabs Fined in One Day Amid Traffic Crackdown
Pune, July 14, 2025: In a stringent enforcement drive to ease traffic congestion on roads leading to Lohegaon Airport, the Pune Traffic Police penalised 1,278 vehicles between July 6 and July 12, collecting ₹9.36 lakh in fines, of which ₹1.03 lakh has already been paid. The crackdown specifically targeted illegally parked cabs and vehicles obstructing traffic flow, with 159 cabs fined in a single day on Saturday, July 12, for unauthorised halts and roadside parking.
Growing Complaints Prompt Strict Action
The intensified enforcement follows mounting complaints from flyers and local residents about severe traffic snarls, particularly near the newly-opened Aero Mall, residential complexes, and key junctions on New Airport Road. Unregulated cab parking has been a major contributor to the congestion, with drivers often halting along the road while waiting for passengers.
Senior Police Inspector Ravindra Kadam, in charge of the Airport Road traffic division, stated, “The traffic situation had reached a breaking point due to cabs parked along the road, affecting movement and causing passengers to miss flights. We took action against 1,278 vehicles, including 159 cabs in one day. The drive will continue to ensure smoother travel for air passengers.”
PMC Steps In for Long-Term Solutions
Following repeated complaints, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and traffic police are collaborating to decongest arterial routes leading to the airport. The police have written to the PMC seeking urgent widening of the Vishrantwadi-Airport Road stretch, where roadside encroachments—particularly by plant nurseries—have choked vehicle movement.
Kadam added, “We removed a traffic circle at a key junction for temporary relief, but long-term solutions require stricter enforcement and PMC-led infrastructure upgrades.”
Flyers Voice Frustration Over Delays
Commuters and flyers have taken to social media to highlight delays, with many reporting missed flights due to gridlocks. A passenger shared their ordeal: “I was stuck for 45 minutes on Airport Road, missed my Delhi flight despite leaving early. Randomly parked cabs left no space to move. This affects jobs and commitments—the situation is out of control.”
PMC’s Planned Measures
A senior PMC road department official (speaking anonymously) confirmed that a demolition drive against encroachments is scheduled in the coming weeks. Additionally, the PMC plans to:
- Widen the road by 3-4 metres where feasible.
- Set up designated taxi bays and no-parking zones in coordination with traffic police.
- Redesign the Aero Mall junction for better traffic dispersal.
“These are high-priority projects due to their direct impact on air travellers,” the official said.
