Traffic Relief Or Industrial Roadblock? Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Extended Heavy Vehicle Ban Sparks Mixed Reactions

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC) recently announced an increase in the duration of the ban on heavy vehicles entering their jurisdiction. However, this increased ban, although it may seem appropriate to reduce traffic congestion, is hampering industries' finances.

On August 3, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police announced that the heavy vehicle ban has been extended. Previously, the ban was in effect from 8am to 11am and 5pm to 9pm. It has now been extended to 8am to 12 noon and 4pm to 10pm.

Pimpri-Chinchwad, known as the industrial hub of Maharashtra, has multiple industrial areas like Talawade, Talegaon, Bhosari, Chakan, Hinjawadi and Mahalunge.

Since heavy vehicles can't come inside the city limits during the ban time, the transport of these industries is being hampered. With thousands of companies in these industrial areas, heavy vehicles have to be used to get raw materials, supply finished products and more. Most of the time, road transport is used for this.

Industrialists said that many times, goods have to be taken to or supplied to key Maharashtrian cities like Mumbai, Kolhapur, Nagpur and others. Many times, even interstate transport has to be done. The supply chain of these industries actually depends upon heavy vehicles like trucks, containers, dumpers, etc.

In such a situation, entrepreneurs are accusing the Pimpri-Chinchwad traffic police of disrupting the supply chain by increasing the restricted traffic time to MIDC.

There are no proper parking facilities within Pimpri-Chinchwad, so these vehicles have to park outside on the highways or, worse, within the city. This makes the service roads of highways and city roads narrower, again increasing traffic.

Two truck terminals are being built in the Talegaon MIDC area. The terminal, being built on an area of 10,000 square meters, has a capacity of 200 trucks. The terminal being built on an area of 40,000 square meters at Badhalawadi has a capacity of 350 trucks. Work on both these terminals began in 2023 but is not yet complete.

A truck terminal with such a large capacity that about 500 heavy vehicles can be parked in the MIDC area is required. The government has assured entrepreneurs it will provide land to build a spacious truck terminal on 55 acres of land near Yelawadi (Maval Taluka). However, no action has been taken yet.

Currently, there are three truck terminals in the Bhosari MIDC area. However, entrepreneurs claim they are in bad condition and not functioning. Since the truck terminal is not in good condition, many questions are being raised, such as where to park heavy vehicles and who is responsible for their safety. For this, it is necessary to bring the existing terminals into good condition and start a new terminal.

Residents welcome the decision

Shail Matade, a resident of Pimpri, said, "I travel regularly to Talegaon Dabhade through the old Mumbai-Pune Highway. The highway is already narrow. Heavy vehicles, which move slowly, always disrupt the flow of traffic. Also, many of them drive recklessly. By extending the ban timing, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police have done a good job."

Aryan Devne, a resident of Nigdi Pradhikaran, said, "In the peak hours of morning and evening, heavy vehicles are the sole reason for increased traffic within the city. Nowadays, I have noticed they are parked beside the road too. Well, I agree that the transportation of goods is mandatory for a city like Pimpri-Chinchwad, but not by risking the lives of commuters. Having heavy vehicles in traffic, especially during peak hours, is actually a very big risk."

Industrialists raise valid concerns against the move

Dilip Batwal, CEO of the Federation of Chakan Industries (FCI), said, "Chakan MIDC has a terminal that can accommodate 50 to 60 vehicles. There are thousands of vehicles on the road. Due to this, this terminal is becoming inadequate. At least 500 heavy vehicles will be parked; there must be a terminal with such capacity. If traffic stops, the goods will not reach on time. It will affect the industry."

Sandeep Belsare, Chairman of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Small Scale Industries Organisation, said, "Due to restrictions on heavy traffic, it will take time to send the material during the day. While stopping heavy traffic, it is necessary to make arrangements for their parking. Many entrepreneurs, freight transport organisations, and drivers are not aware of the truck terminal. Due to this, the available terminal is not used. While starting the terminal, it is necessary to provide toilets, food facilities, and security arrangements for the drivers there."

Police's stance

Pimpri-Chinchwad Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vivek Patil told The Free Press Journal, "We have increased the heavy vehicle ban duration by one hour in the morning and two hours in the evening. It has been seen that heavy vehicles contribute to congestion, though they still have windows in the afternoon and night to travel. We will look into the industrialists' concerns."