Hinjewadi-Wakad Flyover: Traffic Police Restrict Two-Wheelers During Peak Hours

Hinjewadi, also written as Hinjawadi, is one of the busiest IT hubs in Pune. Every day, thousands of people travel through Hinjewadi Flyover, Wakad Flyover, and nearby routes to reach their offices in the IT park. This constant movement of vehicles has made traffic management a serious challenge.

Recently, Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Police introduced a new rule on the Hinjewadi-Wakad Flyover, also known as the Bhujbal Chowk flyover. Under this rule, two-wheelers are not allowed on the flyover during peak hours. The step has been taken as part of an experiment to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.

The move has created mixed reactions among commuters. Some welcomed it, while others faced difficulties because they were not informed in advance. In this article, we will explain the decision, timings, alternative routes, public feedback, and its possible impact on daily travel between Hinjewadi and Wakad.

Why Was the Restriction Introduced?

The Hinjewadi-Wakad Flyover is narrow and lacks a proper central divider. During peak hours, the mix of heavy four-wheeler traffic and a high number of two-wheelers creates bottlenecks. This often leads to slow movement, risky overtaking, and frequent jams.

According to Police Inspector Rahul Sonawane from the Hinjawadi Traffic Division, restricting two-wheelers during busy hours helps cars move smoothly and avoids side-by-side congestion. The police believe that if this trial succeeds, travel time on the flyover will reduce for all vehicles.

And while the restriction may cause small detours for bikers, the change is being treated as a temporary experiment, not a permanent ban.

Timings of the Restriction

The ban on two-wheelers applies only during specific peak hours when traffic is heaviest.

Restriction Schedule for Two-Wheelers on Hinjawadi-Wakad Flyover

Time Slot	Status for Two-Wheelers
Morning 8 am – 11 am	Not allowed
Evening 5 pm – 9 pm	Not allowed
Other hours (11 am – 5 pm & 9 pm – 8 am)	Allowed

This means two-wheelers can still use the Hinjawadi Flyover most of the day, but they need to follow alternative routes during office rush hours.

Alternative Routes for Two-Wheelers

To avoid inconvenience, the police have suggested short alternative routes. The detours are small, only around 50–100 metres, so riders do not lose much time.

For Wakad to Hinjawadi Travelers:

• Skip the Wakad Flyover.
• Take a left turn at the Surya underpass.
• Make a U-turn and continue towards Hinjewadi.

For Hinjawadi to Wakad Travelers:

• Avoid the Hinjawadi Flyover.
• Take a left turn at the Sayaji underpass.
• Make a U-turn and proceed towards Wakad.

Both detours are simple and cause minimal delay.

How Was the Decision Announced?

One reason why the new rule caught many riders by surprise is that there was no official circular or written notice issued. Instead, the traffic police used loudspeakers at Bhujbal Chowk to announce the changes.

On the first day, many two-wheelers continued using the flyover as usual. Traffic police had to stop them and redirect them to the alternative routes. Over time, awareness has increased, and riders are slowly adjusting to the new rule.

Commuter Reactions

The response to the restriction has been mixed:

• Positive Feedback: Some commuters feel the rule helps reduce traffic jams on the Hinjawadi-Wakad Flyover. With fewer vehicles crowding the narrow stretch, four-wheelers move faster, and the risk of accidents is lower.
• Negative Feedback: Many two-wheeler riders are unhappy because they were not informed in advance. They feel the sudden ban without prior notice has caused confusion. Some also argue that the alternative routes may add time during already busy hours.

Overall, the police have received both appreciation and criticism. To improve, they have invited people to submit suggestions or complaints.

Where to Share Feedback

Citizens can share their opinions or raise concerns about the restriction at the following offices:

1. Hinjawadi Traffic Division Office, Bhujbal Chowk
2. Traffic Branch Head Office, near Elpro Mall, Chinchwad Gaon

This open feedback approach shows that the restriction is still being tested, and adjustments may be made based on public response.

Why Hinjewadi Faces Traffic Issues

The Hinjewadi IT Park is home to companies like Infosys, Wipro, TCS, Cognizant, and many more. Over 2.5 lakh employees travel daily through this region.

The Hinjawadi-Wakad Flyover is a key connector between:

• Hinjawadi Phase 1 and the Pune-Mumbai Highway
• Pimpri-Chinchwad city and the IT park

But because of limited road width, lack of dividers, and high traffic volume, bottlenecks occur daily. This is why the police often try new traffic management experiments like diversions, signal changes, or time-based restrictions.

Impact of the New Rule

For Four-Wheelers

• Smoother movement during peak hours.
• Lower chance of side accidents due to space-sharing with two-wheelers.
• Faster travel across the Hinjawadi Flyover.

For Two-Wheelers

• Slight detours via underpasses.
• Some frustration due to last-minute changes.
• Need for awareness and habit change.

For Overall Traffic Flow

• Early signs show reduced congestion on the Wakad Flyover.
• Some pressure may shift to underpasses, but detours are manageable.

Public Concerns

While the step looks helpful, commuters have raised some genuine questions:

• What happens if traffic also increases at the alternative routes?
• Why was there no proper written notice before implementation?
• Will the rule become permanent after two weeks?

These concerns will decide the future of the restriction.

Possible Long-Term Solutions

The restriction is temporary, but experts believe more lasting measures are needed. Some possible solutions include:

• Widening the Hinjawadi Flyover with a central divider.
• Building another parallel flyover to reduce load.
• Improving underpass connectivity to distribute traffic better.
• Promoting public transport like PMPML buses and Metro once fully operational.

FAQs on Hinjawadi-Wakad Flyover Restriction

1. Why are two-wheelers not allowed on the Hinjawadi Flyover during peak hours?

Because the flyover is narrow, lacks a divider, and becomes highly congested during peak traffic. Restricting two-wheelers reduces bottlenecks.

2. What are the restricted hours?

Morning 8 am to 11 am, and evening 5 pm to 9 pm.

3. Can two-wheelers use the flyover at night?

Yes, outside the restricted hours, two-wheelers can use the Hinjawadi-Wakad Flyover.

4. Are there alternative routes available?

Yes. Riders can use Surya underpass (for Wakad to Hinjawadi) and Sayaji underpass (for Hinjawadi to Wakad).

5. Is this a permanent ban?

No. It is a temporary arrangement for at least two weeks as part of an experiment.

The decision to restrict two-wheelers on the Hinjawadi-Wakad Flyover during peak hours is an experiment to improve traffic flow in one of Pune’s busiest areas. While it may cause minor inconvenience to bikers, the move could ease congestion for thousands of commuters.

Whether this becomes a permanent rule or not will depend on public feedback and the results observed in the coming weeks. One thing is clear: with rapid growth in Hinjawadi and Wakad, traffic management will remain a constant challenge, and such experiments may become more common in the future.

To check more about Hinjewadi, Click Here.