The Chakan industrial area is facing severe challenges due to inadequate road infrastructure and persistent traffic bottlenecks. This has led numerous companies to cease operations and relocate to other states where basic facilities are more readily available. Despite ongoing road improvement projects, the region continues to grapple with issues such as traffic congestion and potholes. The deteriorating road conditions not only result in frequent traffic jams but also contribute to a surge in accidents, some of which have been fatal. The lack of traffic police at crucial junctions and substandard roads exacerbate the situation.

These challenges have significantly disrupted the movement of raw materials to factories and the transportation of finished goods, causing disruptions in production schedules. As a consequence, approximately 50 manufacturing units are relocating to states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The daily commute for employees working in the Chakan industries has become an arduous task.

Despite numerous complaints and meetings with officials such as the commissioners of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad police, the rural superintendent of police, and representatives from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), no concrete solutions have been reached. A recent meeting convened at the Mercedes Benz Company addressed the ongoing traffic issues in the industrial area. Various organisations raised concerns and urged the state government to take immediate action to improve road infrastructure.

Attendees at the meeting included retired Director General of Police Jayant Umranikar, Regional Transport Officer Atul Ade, and Assistant Commissioner of Police for Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Division Satish Kasbe, Secretary of the Federation of Chakan Industries Dilip Batwal, and Vice-President of the Transport Association Ravi Dhutekar. The participants demanded urgent action from the National Highways Authority of India to address the pressing issues affecting the industrial hub.

They emphasised the need to promptly initiate road construction works, particularly on roads from Nashik Phata to Rajgurunagar and Talegaon Chakan ? Shikrapur Road, to meet the increasing development needs of the region. Atul Ade highlighted the severity of road accidents and fatalities, calling for immediate measures to address these issues. Additionally, the participants suggested that companies could contribute to easing traffic congestion by appointing wardens to assist the police, promoting collaborative efforts for smoother traffic planning and management.