Pune IT Professionals Seek Work from Home Amid Heavy Rains and Traffic Chaos

Unseasonal rain this week led to many IT professionals in Hinjewadi requesting to work from home (WFH). The main reason was to avoid the long traffic jams caused by flooding in the area. The situation was particularly severe in Phase 3 of Hinjewadi, where waterlogging reached knee level, making it extremely difficult for employees to commute.

Tech employees reported that the waterlogging persisted for two days, causing significant disruptions. Many two-wheelers and cars were damaged due to water ingress, further exacerbating the traffic issues. Ashutosh Pandey, who moved to Hinjewadi two years ago, shared his experience: “It took me nearly an hour to travel just 3km. The Metro construction work made the roads even more congested.”

Another IT worker, Santosh Thakur, highlighted the dangers posed by hidden potholes. “Some areas in Phase 2 and 3 have big potholes that become extremely dangerous when hidden under water during rain,” he said. This added to the risks faced by employees, who were already struggling with long commute times and water-damaged vehicles.

Despite many companies having policies that require employees to come to the office a few days each month, several workers are opting to apply for WFH. They acknowledged that this might affect their performance reviews, but they had no other choice. “Companies should be more understanding, especially when there are serious infrastructure problems in such an important tech hub,” said Ashutosh Pandey.

There has been no official response from IT companies regarding the difficulties faced by their employees. No arrangements have been made for those who got stuck due to the rain. Dnyanendra Hulsure, president of the Hinjawadi Employees and Residents’ Association, emphasized the need for a more flexible approach. “Allowing WFH during the monsoon or until Metro work is finished would reduce traffic and stress,” he stated.

Pawanjit Mane, head of the IT employees’ union, added that the issues in Hinjewadi are recurrent and affect both the physical and mental health of workers. “Hinjewadi faces the same issues every year, and it’s time for companies to take a more proactive role in ensuring the well-being of their employees,” he said.

The ongoing infrastructure challenges in Hinjewadi, including the Metro construction, have significantly worsened the situation. IT professionals are now urging companies to implement more flexible work policies to mitigate the risks and stress associated with commuting during the monsoon season.