New Flyovers Ease Traffic on Sinhagad Road, But Safety Concerns Remain

Commuters on Pune’s busy Sinhagad Road are breathing a little easier after the inauguration of two new flyover stretches this week. The Wadgaon to Hingne Chowk flyover and the Manikbaug to Vitthalwadi link have already reduced travel times significantly, offering a smoother ride on a stretch that was once infamous for traffic snarls.

Many motorists reported completing the 1.5 km stretch in under 10 minutes, compared to the 20-30 minutes it used to take earlier. The new flyovers have removed the need to stop at multiple junctions, easing the daily grind for thousands of commuters.

However, the relief is not without challenges. At the Hingne Chowk end, vehicles continue to take U-turns and right turns despite restrictions, creating confusion and raising the risk of accidents. On the Wadgaon side, the sharp turn towards the service road has also been flagged as a safety concern.

At the Vitthalwadi end, the connecting road remains narrow and dotted with potholes. Commuters say the uneven surface and incomplete finishing are slowing down vehicles and reducing some of the time gains offered by the new bridge.

Citizens have called for the presence of traffic police at key points to manage the flow and urged the civic body to address the poor approach roads. Officials have said they will monitor traffic movement and make necessary improvements, including better signage and footpath redesigns.

For now, the flyovers have brought welcome relief to Sinhagad Road. But unless the entry and exit points are managed better and approach roads improved, the daily commute will continue to test Pune’s motorists.