A VIP movement involving a joint convoy of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP national president Nitin Nabin added to traffic congestion in central Pune during the evening rush hour on Wednesday, when the city was witnessing large crowds for Ganeshotsav.
Stopping traffic again for a VIP visit during peak hours makes the situation worse. “During Ganeshotsav, the number of people on these roads is already very high. Authorities should avoid such movements during peak hours and ensure that the limited road space is kept clear. “People come to the city centre for Ganesh darshan, and many are travelling with families. Attempts to contact BJP Pune city president Dheeraj Ghate for a comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls.
Because of the Ganesh pandals and crowds, “Traffic is already moving slowly. Because of the pandals, a commuter from Kasba Peth said, “Many roads in the Peth areas are already choked.
Ordinary commuters are left waiting on the roads,” said Girish Kamble, a commuter travelling through central Pune. If VIP movements are also planned during the evening rush, it creates additional pressure on traffic,” said Mahesh Patki, a resident of Sadashiv Peth. Traffic restrictions and VIP movements at the same time make it difficult for both devotees and daily commuters,” said Ashwin Shinde, a resident of Hadapsar. “Traffic arrangements during the festival should focus on keeping roads moving, particularly during the evening rush,” a commuter said.
