Pune Chokes with Traffic as People Return After Diwali Festivities; Highways and City Roads Clogged for Hours
Pune, October 28, 2025: Pune witnessed massive traffic congestion over the weekend as the Diwali holidays came to an end. Long queues of vehicles were reported on major highways and entry points to the city, with thousands of commuters returning after the festive break. Despite extra police deployment, several routes remained jammed for hours.
Heavy Rush on Major Highways
According to the Highway Traffic Police, congestion started early Sunday morning and worsened through the day. The heaviest jams were reported on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway, Old Mumbai–Pune Highway, Pune–Bengaluru Highway, and routes connecting Pune with Ahilyanagar, Nashik, and Solapur. Toll plazas and ghat sections became bottlenecks, with traffic moving slowly for long stretches.
A senior officer said, “Traffic on the Pune–Mumbai corridor was high throughout the day in both directions. Congestion was particularly bad near the ghat sections and toll plazas. The number of tourists visiting Lonavala and Khandala also added to the problem, slowing down the Old Highway.”
Long Queues and Rain Add to Commuter Woes
Many residents returning from nearby cities said the travel time doubled due to heavy jams. A Pune-based management professional, shared, “We started from Mumbai on Sunday morning expecting some rush, but the Bor Ghat section was completely packed. Even after entering Pune, traffic barely moved near Katraj.”
The Pune–Bengaluru Highway saw a similar situation, especially at Khambatki Ghat, Anewadi, Khed Shivapur, and Katraj, where traffic slowed to a crawl. Officials said the evening rain further worsened the situation. The Narhe, Navale Bridge, and Warje areas saw long queues of vehicles well into the night.
City Roads Clogged Too
Inside the city, traffic was equally bad. The Katraj–Vadgaon Bridge, Ahilyanagar–Pune Road, and Solapur–Pune corridor saw slow-moving traffic through Sunday evening. Pune City Traffic Police confirmed that vehicle volume was much higher than normal due to people returning from their hometowns and the weekend rainfall.
Authorities Urge Patience as Offices Reopen
With schools and offices reopening on Monday, the rush continued into early Monday morning. Police have requested commuters to travel during non-peak hours and follow traffic regulations to avoid further delays.
