IIM Mumbai approached to study Pune’s traffic woes, suggest long-term solutions

Pune: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai has been approached to conduct a comprehensive study of the city’s traffic system and transport infrastructure and recommend long-term solutions, Pune MP and Union minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said on Thursday.Mohol said he approached the institute, which responded positively, to address the city’s growing traffic concerns. “A preliminary meeting between experts from the institute and officials from various departments was held in Pune, marking the first step towards proposing long-term, scientific solutions to the city’s traffic challenges,” Mohol said.The meeting, held on Thursday, was attended by professors and subject experts from IIM Mumbai and officials from various departments.“The population of the Pune metropolitan region is approximately one crore and is projected to reach two crore over the next three decades. The number of registered vehicles in the city has increased from around 52 lakh in 2018 to approximately 82 lakh in 2026. With more than 1,300 new vehicles being added every day, the pressure on the city’s roads continues to intensify. It is essential to take a holistic view of major arterial roads, traffic bottlenecks, signalling systems, public transport, the Metro network and the proposed ring road,” Mohol said.The study will examine gaps in Pune’s transport system and recommend measures to optimise the use of existing infrastructure while addressing future requirements. It will require coordination among the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Maha Metro, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), Regional Transport Office (RTO) and traffic police. The agencies concerned will be able to take further action based on the study’s recommendations.“Traffic congestion in Pune is a serious issue that affects the daily lives of citizens. Given the city’s rapid expansion and rising number of vehicles, long-term planning is essential, rather than relying solely on temporary, stop-gap measures. Our goal is to improve coordination among various agencies and make commuting in Pune safer, more convenient and more efficient for residents,” Mohol said.