Pune: Massive traffic jams were witnessed at Katraj Chowk on Tuesday as authorities erected barricades and introduced diversions to make space for construction of the flyover at the junction. The situation got so bad that the barricades were removed a few hours later, giving some relief to commuters. "We spent at least 30 minutes to cross this junction," said Akshay Vaze, who was among hundreds of motorists stuck in Tuesday's traffic jam.
"Authorities should've planned better. Cars, buses and bikes were crawling," he said. Former corporator for the area, Vasant More, said he along with his team tried to clear the congestion.
More said he has urged the traffic police and NHAI officials to conduct a joint survey to chalk out traffic flow , before introducing road diversions. "Katraj Chowk has been experiencing frequent traffic jams because of the ongoing roadworks here. We've been asking authorities to prepare a detailed traffic flow plan.
That plan must come as soon as possible because work is set to start at the main junction," More said. Construction of the flyover that connects Katraj-Navale bridge road with Katraj-Kondhwa road has been on since last year, with work ongoing on both sides of the road. The flyover crosses the junction from above and is expected to reduce congestion substantially.
Its construction has now reached the busy chowk, which is why barricades were erected there on Tuesday morning, to move traffic away from the works. "But the chowk was closed for com.