Pune: Illegal parking outside the Hanuman temple on Dr Homi Bhabha Road (NDA-Pashan Road), which connects Garware Circle and BHEL, is narrowing the carriageway, triggering traffic snarls, and making the stretch accident-prone, residents said.The situation is also raising security concerns on a road flanked by vital defence establishments. Despite prominent ‘no parking’ and ‘no halting’ signs, vehicles are parked on both sides of the road, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, often directly below the signboards. Vehicles trying to enter or exit the main road have to manoeuvre around the parked cars, further disrupting traffic. The danger was highlighted recently when a techie out for a morning run was fatally knocked down by a car on this stretch.Manish Deo, a resident of Bavdhan, said, “The temple has been there for many years. But earlier, people used to walk to the temple. Most people during their morning and evening walks would pray at the temple before leaving. But now, four-wheelers and two-wheelers are parked on roadside, right next to the main gate of the defence area. There is a bus stop on either side, which makes it worse because buses need to stop to board and de-board passengers. Hence, we request people to use public transport or walk to the temple. Otherwise, a parking area must be created towards the Necklace Road area where the road widens so that a bottleneck is not created on the narrower portion of the road.”The road houses many establishments—both official and residential—related to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). A resident who did not wish to be named said, “Earlier, the security guards of the defence establishment would not even allow you to halt or park your vehicles on the entire stretch of the road. Even if your vehicle broke down, they would whistle and come to investigate. But now, for the past few years, we have seen people coming on their four-wheelers and two-wheelers and parking on the roadside—sometimes on both sides—creating traffic jams. Imagine the threat to such an important defence area if vehicles are parked illegally.”Dushyant Bhatia, another Bavdhan resident, said that the crowd peaks on Tuesdays and Saturdays. “Due to illegal parking on the road, that stretch of the carriageway becomes narrower. Vehicles otherwise riding on a smooth, wide road suddenly encounter a bottleneck when they reach this spot, which should be avoided. Also, it is a defence area, making parking right next to the gate problematic. If it is not managed now, it will get out of hand. Hence, we appeal to the authorities to take action against illegal parking in the area,” he said.API Rajkumar Kendre of Chaturshringi Police Station said after the accident earlier this month, he wrote to PMC asking for rumble strips or a speed breaker for vehicles coming from Necklace Road area. “Secondly, we will take action against illegal parking. Residents can also complain on the Pune Traffic Police app. They can also call the police to complain about the parking. We assure swift action against this, especially considering it is a sensitive zone,” Kendre said.
