Nashik city gridlock worsens as road closures, Kumbh works choke traffic

Nashik: Traffic congestion has intensified across Nashik city with the closure of key junctions like Dwarka Chowk and multiple roads dug up for Simhastha Kumbh Mela infrastructure works, leaving commuters stuck in long snarls across major routes.The shutdown of the Dwarka Junction, a critical node for heavy vehicle movement, has diverted traffic onto narrow, internal roads passing through densely populated areas, worsening congestion and increasing travel time.Residents say simultaneous roadworks across key stretches have compounded the problem. “Even these junctions have been dug up. For instance, the works are being carried out from Kala Nagar to Wadala village, forcing the vehicles meet head to head at the junctions in between. Since work is going on at Indiranagar crossroad, there is traffic congestion at the spot. Large number of vehicles rely on Mumbai Naka crossroad for the movement between Nashik and Nashik Road. All these make movement tiresome,” said Rajeshwari Kurhe, a resident of Pathardi-Indiranagar Road.Kurhe added that her daily commute has nearly quadrupled. “It used to take 25 minutes to reach home from office at MG Road, but now the travel time is about one and a half hours to two minimum every evening. It is disgusting that the officials could not pre-empt such problems,” she said.Similar congestion is reported at Dream Castle crossroad towards Makhmalabad, where single-lane traffic is handling vehicles from both directions, and at the ITI signal where three connecting roads are simultaneously under concreting work.“There is no way to cross over to the other side. The traffic extends to over 700m towards the ITI bridge, and crossing over takes more than 25 minutes, which otherwise is a three-minute issue. Do the NMC officials not travel by these routes?” asked Ramesh Ahire, a resident of DGP Nagar.Key stretches including the roads from Garware to XLO Point and further to Papaya nursery are also dug up, adding to daily chaos.Residents have also flagged safety concerns amid worsening road conditions. “There are small accidents involving vehicles every day. Tempers run high. The only thing is that they are not reported in the police station does not mean everything is all right. Monsoon is almost here, and I am scared of allowing my daughter to use her two-wheeler to go to office, considering the potholes. Who will own up the responsibility in case of any accident?” asked Savita Chaudhary, a resident of Makhmalabad.Nashik Municipal Corporation officials said contractors have been penalised for delays and assured improvement soon. “Strict deadlines have been set to ensure the roads are motorable before the monsoon. The contractors were fined for the delay. We are sure the things will now change drastically within a fortnight,” an official said.