Pune Grinds to a Halt as Weekend Political Rallies Cause Traffic Chaos

India, Jan. 12 -- The last weekend before the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections saw large-scale political rallies, roadshows, and public meetings held by nearly all major political parties, leading to logjams and bringing parts of the city to a standstill.

Campaigning by top leaders including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, local MPs, and party candidates resulted in traffic snarls across arterial roads, inconveniencing and frustrating Punekars no end.

On Saturday, a rally organised at Shanipar Chowk by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray/UBT) disrupted vehicular movement in the congested peth areas. The narrow roads in the locality witnessed bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours, with many residents and commuters stuck in their vehicles for extended periods.

The situation was no better on Sunday, with similar rallies and public meetings held in other parts of the city. Major thoroughfares such as Pune-Satara Road, Bund Garden Road, and M.G. Road were particularly affected, with traffic moving at a snail's pace. The congestion extended well into the evening, causing significant delays for those trying to return home or attend other commitments.

Local residents expressed their frustration, with many complaining about the lack of coordination between the police and political parties. Some even suggested that the rallies should have been scheduled for less busy times to minimize the impact on daily life.

The Pune Police, however, defended their efforts, stating that they had deployed additional personnel to manage traffic and ensure the safety of participants. Despite their best efforts, the sheer volume of people and vehicles made it challenging to maintain smooth traffic flow.

The political parties involved also faced criticism for the inconvenience caused. While they argued that the rallies were necessary to engage with voters and highlight their manifestos, many residents felt that the disruption was unnecessary and could have been avoided.

As the PMC elections approach, it is likely that more such events will take place, and residents are bracing themselves for further traffic disruptions. The city administration and political leaders will need to work together to find a better balance between political campaigning and maintaining the smooth functioning of the city's infrastructure.

In the meantime, residents are advised to plan their travel in advance, use alternative routes, and allow extra time for their journeys. The hope is that the upcoming elections will bring positive changes to the city, but for now, many are just hoping to get through the campaign period without too much inconvenience.