Pune: A City That’s Growing, But So Are Its Problems

   - by Aryan   

I was born and brought up in Pune, which means I have lived here my entire life. People often say Pune is one of the most sought-after cities in the country, with many aspiring to own property here. And why not? Pune is an IT hub, growing at a steady pace, attracting students, professionals, and businesses alike. But despite all its charm, there are certain things about the city that bother me. As a rightful Punekar, I feel compelled to share my thoughts.

A few days ago, I was on my way to drop a friend off at his apartment in Punawale, a suburb of Pimpri-Chinchwad. What should have been a quick ride turned into an hour-long nightmare. As frustration built up, it hit me—Pune’s traffic is a mess. The worst part? We’ve all just learned to live with it. It’s as if we’ve accepted that getting stuck in traffic is just a normal part of life, and most of us don’t even think about solutions anymore. We’re just too busy trying to get through the day.

Curious, I came home and looked up the most congested cities in India. It turns out Pune ranks third on the TomTom Traffic Index 2024, just behind Kolkata and Bangalore. Mumbai, despite being far more crowded and smaller in land area, ranked sixth. That got me thinking—how is it that Pune, a larger city with a smaller population, has worse traffic than Mumbai? The answer, in my opinion, lies in the lack of law enforcement. Vehicles are parked anywhere and everywhere, narrowing roads and causing congestion. Wrong-side driving is so common that people don’t even react to it anymore. If the authorities actually enforced traffic laws, things might improve.

What’s ironic is that while enforcement is weak where it truly matters, authorities are quick to issue fines for minor infractions. Parking spaces marked with white lines or boxes often fade away or get covered by other vehicles, making it hard to tell where to park. And yet, people still get fined. Corruption is another headache. I’ve been stopped by traffic police multiple times for no reason. Once, a cop claimed my bike insurance had expired. When I confidently told him it hadn’t, he checked his system again and let me go. Many people I know, especially students, prefer to pay up instead of dealing with the hassle.

Bad roads make the situation even worse. Traffic moves slowly because of potholes, uneven surfaces, and never-ending roadwork. This isn’t just a problem in the city area—some areas in Pimpri-Chinchwad, which is known for its better planning, also have terrible roads. The only time roads seem to get fixed is when a VIP is scheduled to visit the city.

Adding to the frustration is the complete lack of road discipline among some people. Speeding, jumping signals, reckless overtaking—it’s all too common. And with little to no fear of consequences, the problem just gets worse. In Pune, these reckless drivers are often referred to as “Chapris.” You can spot them easily—they drive irresponsibly, create unnecessary chaos, and always seem ready to pick a fight if confronted. It’s frustrating to deal with, but weak law enforcement means they keep getting away with it.

Despite all the chaos, Pune does get one thing right—public transportation. The city offers multiple options to get around, making life a bit easier. While I haven’t traveled outside Pune too often, I have visited Mumbai quite a few times, and I personally find its public transportation system quite chaotic. In that aspect, Pune has an upper hand.

That day, sitting in traffic with my friend, I could feel his frustration. He told me this was his everyday reality, and I know he’s not alone. There are plenty like him who are tired of this everyday chaos. I don’t understand how these problems persist for years without any real change, but it’s something that needs to be taken seriously—not just by the authorities but by the people themselves. Only then can we hope for a change in the way this city functions.