Diversions & ban on right turns at busy RTO Chowk spell some relief from snarls, but commuters seek long-term measures

Pune: Traffic movement has witnessed some improvements at the busy RTO Chowk, following the introduction of diversions and a ban on right turns at the spot. Daily travellers in the area, however, said that they are looking for more relief, especially for vehicles travelling from Juna Bazaar Chowk and Pune railway station towards RTO Chowk, which continue to grapple with challenges.The changes in the junction’s area came into effect from last week. Now, vehicles coming from Juna Bazaar Chowk are not allowed to take a right turn towards Pune railway station on Raja Bahadur Mill Road; similarly, vehicles coming from Sangam Bridge are banned from taking a right turn at RTO Chowk towards Juna Bazaar Chowk. The traffic police department said that the changes have been introduced on a trial basis and will continue for a few more days.The intention behind banning right turns is to avoid bunching of vehicles at the chowk and reduce waiting time to cross it. According to regular travellers, RTO Chowk has long become a major bottleneck, with waiting time to cross the junction increasing significantly. There was a continuous demand from vehicle users to work out measures for relief from this habitual chaos.A traffic police officer chose anonymity and told TOI, “Major bottlenecks and long queues were being witnessed on the stretch from Pune railway station towards RTO Chowk, and from Sangam Bridge as well. A decision was taken to ban right turns here, which has reduced waiting time. Vehicles have instead been given the option of U-turns a few metres ahead of the chowk. Queues have reduced. We are monitoring traffic flow from all sides. More improvements will come in stages in the next few days.”Gopal Rathod, who often travels to Pune railway station, said, “Traffic movement has improved at RTO Chowk, but rush hour chaos persists.” Vishal Jagtap, another regular commuter passing through, said, “The changes introduced are good, but the authorities should work out long-term measures. The rail underpass that connects RTO Chowk to Juna Bazaar Chowk is too small to handle increased traffic load, and has become a major bottleneck. The widening of this underpass should start at earliest. The authorities should also develop an alternate road parallel to Raja Bahadur Mill Road to reduce long queues of vehicles on the stretch to Pune Junction.”As a part of ongoing measures, one wing of Sangam Bridge has also been shut to vehicles. A puncture to the road divider near Pune railway station on Raja Bahadur Mill Road has been closed to restrict bunching of vehicles.