Despite Ban, Heavy Vehicles Continue To Flood Pune Roads; Residents Express Frustration

A month after Pune Traffic Police imposed a ban on heavy vehicles across the city in peak hours, which applies to multi-axle vehicles, containers, trailers, and bulkers with more than ten wheels, the city roads continue to get flooded with heavy vehicles.

Time and again, Punekars take to social media to post about the menace of heavy vehicles on the road, despite the ban.

In one such video from the Kirkitwadi area of Khadakwasla, a user posted a video and claimed that even though heavy vehicular traffic is banned from 8 AM to 11 AM on Kirkitwadi-Nandoshi Road near Sinhagad Road, this situation happens every day. What should we do now to confront the Pune city traffic police?

“This is what we endure at #controlchowk in Narhe every day. Isn’t there a ban on heavy vehicles during school hours at least? But the pic says it all. No traffic ops in sight and no relief from the mess. Hope Pune will soon get traffic police,” wrote another, while others complained about areas like Narhe and Sinhagad Road.

Traffic police, PMC, and related departments are jointly implementing no heavy vehicle zone rule. Certain “red zones” have been marked, requiring prior approval for entry. The Mumbai-Bengaluru highway is exempt from this ban. Essential service vehicles are allowed entry between midnight and 6 AM.