Two-hour gridlock at Shivajinagar underpass exposes planning gaps

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Traffic came to a standstill for nearly two-and-a-half hours on Friday evening after a Hyva truck and a large DJ vehicle got stuck inside the Shivajinagar underpass. The disruption lasted from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm, forcing police to temporarily close the Shivajinagar–Deolai road and divert vehicles.

Long queues were reported from Deolai Chowk to beyond Shivajinagar Chowk. Commuters and traffic personnel endured hours of inconvenience under the blazing sun, with citizens blaming administrative negligence for the recurring chaos.

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Structural and traffic issues

Residents and motorists pointed to multiple shortcomings:

• Limited turning space for heavy vehicles on both ends of Shivajinagar slows traffic flow.

• Autorickshaws and vehicles parked outside shops further narrow the carriageway.

• Frequent daytime movement of sand-laden Hyva trucks aggravates congestion.