Traffic, Bad Roads Trouble Hinjewadi Residents; Township Association Writes to CM

Pune: Employees and residents living around the Hinjewadi IT Park continue to face serious traffic and civic problems in the Mhalunge area. Despite the area being included in the Pune Municipal Corporation, issues such as traffic congestion, inadequate roads, poor street lighting and heavy vehicle movement remain unresolved.

The Mhalunge Township Residents Association had organised a protest on August 22 over these problems. Municipal officials had reportedly given a written assurance to take action. However, residents say they are still waiting for an official copy of the assurance and clear information on the proposed measures.

The Mhalunge-Maan area has expanded rapidly over the past few years, largely due to its proximity to Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi. The existing road network is struggling to handle the growing population and traffic.

Traffic jams are particularly common during office hours and around school timings. Residents say the congestion affects students, parents, senior citizens, IT employees, local residents and even emergency services.

The residents’ association has now written to the Chief Minister seeking urgent intervention. It has demanded that the proposed 24-metre road under the regional plan, or the 36-metre road proposed under the Mhalunge-Maan Town Planning Scheme, be developed without further delay.

The association has also sought the early start of work on the Sus-Mhalunge-Hinjewadi road. It has asked the authorities to complete the required administrative, technical, land acquisition and funding procedures and publicly share the work start date, project timeline, expected completion date and available funds.

Until the planned roads are completed, residents have demanded that at least 10 traffic wardens be deployed during peak hours to manage congestion.

Residents are also seeking a long-term traffic management plan for Mhalunge-Maan. Their demands include better junction management, alternative routes, improved pedestrian safety and stronger traffic arrangements around schools.

The association said it has repeatedly followed up with the Pune Municipal Corporation but has not received a formal response on the earlier assurances. It questioned how long residents would have to wait for action on basic issues such as roads, streetlights and traffic management.

The residents have warned that if the municipal administration does not take time-bound action, they will launch another protest.

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