Pune is hosting Bhimthadi Jatra, a rural carnival featuring a variety of attractions, including cultural exhibitions, food markets, flea markets, live shows, and much more. The event is organized at the Agriculture Ground, Sinchan Nagar, Pune, from December 20 to 25. Thousands of people have thronged the streets to participate in the carnival. However, amid the celebrations and excitement, the residents are also irked by the heavy traffic congestion caused by the large number of people coming in on the already congested roads.

The road leading to the ground has already been made one-way to ease traffic due to ongoing Metro and flyover construction. However, residents are having a harrowing time navigating this particular stretch due to poor traffic rule enforcement.

Residents speak up

Dr. Sudhir Mehta, a resident, took the matter to X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, "It is both disappointing and deeply frustrating to witness such a lack of foresight and planning by the Pune administration and traffic police. Granting permission for a massive public event on a road that has already been made one-way to ease traffic due to ongoing Metro and flyover construction is inexplicable. This road is already plagued by massive daily congestion, causing immense inconvenience to residents and commuters, and this decision has only further gridlocked the entire area. A road that is already struggling to handle everyday traffic is no place for an event that attracts tens of thousands of people."

Arti Prabhu, a resident of Bhosle Nagar, said, "Due to the construction of the metro flyover, the roads leading to Shivaji Nagar have been closed, and temporary arrangements have been made. One has to take a right turn towards the NH17 Dabha, but the issue is that this mega event is not planned properly. The authorities should have also provided some other alternative routes. This place has become way more crowded, and it’s difficult to control the traffic. There's no planning for it. Yesterday, we got stuck in traffic for almost half an hour, just to cross 800 meters. We highlighted these hassles to the traffic police standing here, and he assured me that it would be addressed soon."

Sumit Verma (33), a resident of Bhosari, said, "Yesterday there was an emergency at our home, and I had to take my father to Ratna Hospital at Senapati Bapat Road. But due to the closure of many roads, it was quite impossible to reach the hospital because of the heavy traffic. In emergencies, if we have to leave the area and get stuck in traffic, it can delay critical treatment. Who will we hold accountable?"

Rishi Singh, another X user, wrote, "Very true. I have even written to all concerned authorities but no improvement in the traffic situation. Both the underpass at Range Hills are awaiting widening proposal approval since last year. The MLA of our area has some other priorities."

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amol Zende said, "The event is attracting a lot of crowds, and to ease the traffic, we have allowed entry and exit from the underpass that connects the old Mumbai-Pune Highway from yesterday. Apart from that, we have deployed 40 traffic personnel in that area to manage the traffic. The situation right now is totally under control."

The NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday attended the Bhimthadi Jatra at the College of Agriculture in the city.

Sharad Pawar said, "I participated in the Bhimthadi fair organized this year as well, like last year, on the grand premises of the Agricultural College in the Sinchan Nagar area of Pune. This time, I visited various stalls there and received detailed information about their businesses and products."

"This year marks the 25th death anniversary of Padma Shri Dr. Appasaheb Pawar. Therefore, this year's Bhimthadi fair is dedicated to Dr. Appasaheb Pawar. This fair always receives a spontaneous response from the people. However, this year, it seems there has been more response from outside Maharashtra, especially from states like Telangana. I am happy that the work of Bhimthadi is now expanding to the national level, with the best artists from across the country participating."

"I also noticed a significant participation of women's self-help groups in the Bhimthadi fair. Therefore, I believe this initiative will contribute greatly to the women's empowerment movement. My best wishes to Sunanda Pawar, the promoter of the Bhimthadi fair, organized primarily with the aim of promoting rural home industries, for her continued success in this social journey!"