Residents demand traffic circle at SM Ghule chowk in Pune

A number of heavy vehicles such as trucks, water tankers and tempos regularly pass along the road. According to residents, several minor accidents have taken place, where cars have collided with water tankers at the chowk due to the absence of a traffic island at the spot

PUNE: The absence of a traffic circle at the hazardous and accident-prone SM Ghule chowk – the intersection of four main roads near Raheja Vista Premiere – is causing inconvenience to hundreds of motorists commuting through the chowk daily. A number of heavy vehicles such as trucks, water tankers and tempos regularly pass along the road. According to residents, several minor accidents have taken place, where cars have collided with water tankers at the chowk due to the absence of a traffic island at the spot. The chowk is the intersection of the Undri-NIBM area, and is the nearest road for commuters to reach their destinations from both places.

The SM Ghule chowk is the intersection of the Undri-NIBM area, and is the nearest road for commuters to reach their destinations from both places. (HT PHOTO)

Both the NIBM Annexe Citizens’ forum and Nyati County Citizens’ forum have raised the issue with the traffic department and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), seeking erection of a cement-concrete circle to regulate traffic at the junction. NIBM Annexe Citizens’ forum director Daljeet Goraya said that residents have been demanding installation of the traffic circle for the past several years but no steps have been initiated by the PMC. “We have petitioned all the government departments but there has been no response. The junction has become an accident spot where two-wheelers and cars regularly collide with heavy vehicles. We don’t want any further accidents and human casualties at the spot henceforth,” he said.

Residents have petitioned the traffic department and PMC to provide them with a traffic circle at the said junction. Imperial society resident Danish Khan told Hindustan Times, “The absence of a traffic circle is creating confusion in the minds of vehicle drivers and even leading to accidents. A traffic circle at this junction is of vital importance to prevent accidents and traffic jams. Erecting a circle at the spot will ensure complete regulation of traffic and make the area accident-free. We request the Kondhwa traffic division to take up this issue on priority and give their permission to erect the circle.”

Mohammadwadi corporator Pramod alias Nana Bhangire said, “The junction has become an accident spot and needs a traffic circle at the earliest. We are ready to develop the circle from our development funds so that no inconvenience is caused to the area residents. I will soon meet the concerned officials and get the issue resolved at the earliest.”

While DCP (traffic) Rahul Srirame said, “We will take all the necessary steps for the convenience of the motorists passing through the junction and necessary permission will be granted.”