The Pune traffic police have introduced strict regulations for private luxury and travel buses, enforcing designated routes, specific halting points, and peak-hour entry restrictions to reduce congestion on major city roads. These measures came into effect on November 15 and are actively being enforced in multiple areas. The department is currently reviewing feedback and inviting objections and suggestions before finalizing the notification.
Background and Rationale
This initiative follows a review meeting at the Pune traffic branch office with private travel operators. Officials expressed concerns about unregulated stops, overcrowding at junctions, and the rising number of buses using internal city roads during peak traffic hours.Manoj Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police, explained, “The city had no option but to streamline private bus operations. Unauthorized halts on main roads and movement during peak hours were causing unnecessary congestion.”
Key Restrictions and Route Changes
- Private luxury and travel buses must now follow assigned routes and halting points.
- Buses cannot run through residential areas or make frequent stops at major junctions.
- For example, buses heading towards Satara Roadwill begin at Mitra Mandal Chowk and Katraj Snake Park, exiting via Navale Bridge and the Katraj Tunnel.
- Buses to Solapur Roadare required to use the Padmavati–Hadapsar stretch, stopping only at Bhairobanala and Shewalewadi.
- On the Mumbai–Pune highway, buses must stick to a corridor passing through Dandekar Bridge, Nal Stop, and Chandani Chowk, with no other halts permitted.
- Incoming buses from Mumbai via Alandi Roador Wagholi may stop only at Sangamwadi, Kharadi, or Wagheshwar Parking.
- Buses on the Mumbai–Satara Roadroute are prohibited from entering the city and must remain on the Pune–Bengaluru bypass.
Peak-Hour Entry Restrictions
Luxury and private travel buses are banned from entering Pune between 6 pm and 10 pm, the period identified as peak congestion hours. Enforcement teams have been directed to penalize buses that exceed a three-minute halt at stops or enter prohibited routes.Patil expressed optimism about the impact of these measures, stating, “We expect smoother traffic flow, especially during evening rush hours, as these new rules take full effect.”
New Stops and Route Example
Mitra Mandal Chowk (Swargate) – Satara Road
- Stops:Mitra Mandal Chowk, Katraj Snake Park
- Route:Volga Chowk – Market Yard – Satara Road – Katraj Chowk – Navale Bridge – New Katraj Tunnel
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