Pune traffic police have ordered restrictions on heavy vehicles approaching Katraj Chowk as underground metro construction continues between Swargate and Katraj, requiring dumpers, cement mixers, trailers and containers to use designated alternative routes.
The changes are intended to keep traffic moving through Katraj Chowk, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakre. The restrictions cover vehicles approaching the junction from the Pune–Satara highway, the Mumbai–Bengaluru bypass, Solapur, Market Yard, Bibwewadi, Kondhwa and other surrounding areas.
Vehicles arriving through the old Katraj tunnel on the Pune–Satara highway will be stopped from entering at Shindewadi. Heavy vehicles coming towards Katraj through the new tunnel from Satara Road will be stopped at Navale Bridge. Vehicles travelling from the Warje side of the Mumbai–Bengaluru bypass towards Katraj will also be stopped at Navale Bridge.
Heavy vehicles travelling from Solapur towards Katraj through Hadapsar, Manterwadi and the Katraj–Kondhwa Road will not be allowed to proceed beyond Manterwadi Chowk. Similar restrictions will apply to heavy vehicles approaching through the Bopdev Ghat route and the Katraj–Kondhwa Road. Vehicles coming from Market Yard, Gangadham and Bibwewadi towards Katraj will also be denied entry.
Traffic police have advised heavy and oversized vehicles to use routes through Navale Bridge, the new Katraj tunnel, Khed Shivapur, Saswad, Garade, Chimbli, Manterwadi and Wadki. Another suggested route runs through Navale Bridge, the new Katraj tunnel, Khed Shivapur, Garade, Bhivri, Bopdev Ghat, Yewalewadi, Pisoli and Manterwadi.
The restrictions also affect regular passenger movement. Vehicles travelling from Swargate towards Katraj Chowk will not be allowed to enter the junction. State Transport buses and passenger vehicles travelling from Satara towards Swargate have been instructed to turn right near Navale Bridge and proceed towards Swargate through Katraj.
Residents travelling from Katraj towards Swargate have been asked to avoid Katraj Chowk and use alternative routes. Traffic police have also prohibited parking on both sides of the road between Wonder City Society and Katraj Bypass Chowk, between Katraj Bypass Chowk and More Bagh, and along the stretches from Katraj Bypass Chowk to Rajas Society and from the bypass junction to the old Katraj tunnel.
The restrictions form part of traffic management measures for the ongoing underground metro work on the Swargate–Katraj section. Traffic police have appealed to heavy-vehicle operators and local motorists to follow the diversions and avoid the restricted approaches.
