Pune: Narhe resident Nilesh Paigude was happy to zoom over Sinhagad Road on the newly opened Wadgaon to Hingne Chowk flyover, while saving travel time and avoiding traffic discomfort. He told TOI: “I did not have to stop at five junctions and took less than 10 minutes from Wadgaon Budruk to reach DP Road-Mhatre Bridge.”On the first day of opening, the traffic flow remained largely smooth on the new flyover. Citizens witnessed hassle-free movement and covered the 1.5km distance in around 5 minutes as opposed to the earlier 15-20 minutes wasted on negotiating traffic. However, serious risk factors were highlighted at both ends of the flyover, where commuters are breaking rules and moving in any direction. Citizens demanded the presence of traffic police or wardens to manage vehicular flow at the exit/entry points for the next few days or the spots may become prone to accidents. On Monday evening, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had inaugurated the 1.5-km-long flyover. It is the third such facility opened to the public on Sinhagad Road over the last one and half years.Girish Kulkarni rode down the new flyover on Tuesday evening and spoke to TOI about the chaos where the flyover ended near Hingne Chowk. “It was because the administration has banned U-turns and right turns at Hingne Chowk (Inamdar Chowk) to maintain flow of vehicles. However, many were freely taking the turns despite the risk. There is a need to regulate the traffic,” he said.Commuters also raised concerns about the Wadgaon side of the flyover. They said the turn towards the adjacent service road is sharp and needs corrective action.Pune Municipal Corporation officials said, “We will observe the traffic flow at the new flyover for the next few days and initiate steps to introduce necessary changes. Adequate signboards have been installed at both ends to guide commuters. Some improvements like redesigning footpaths and removing power utilities will be taken up soon.”
