Commuters navigating the National Highway 48 (NH 48), specifically the Mumbai-Satara Highway, find themselves increasingly frustrated by the daily traffic snarls at Warje, Chandni Chowk, and several other locations along the highway. Many attribute the congestion to the recurrent halting of heavy vehicles, particularly trucks, on the highway during peak travel hours.
Bhavna Singh, a daily commuter on NH 48 and Undri resident, expressed her concerns, stating, “Every day, especially at Warje, I encounter massive trucks halting on the highway, leading to significant traffic congestion and almost doubling the commuting time. It’s a recurring issue, and every day, during peak hours, one or more trucks are stuck on the same stretch, causing unnecessary delays. Since Diwali 2023, the situation has worsened, and it’s baffling why these heavy vehicles choose peak hours for their journeys.”
Raj Zadepatil, another regular NH 48 commuter from Warje, highlighted the persisting traffic problems, stating, “Chandani Chowk and Warje are particularly affected. Daily, vehicles get stuck on the highway, creating substantial traffic issues. Despite the completion of the Chandani Chowk flyover, this problem persists.”
Vikram Misal, Sub-Inspector of Warje Malwadi Traffic Police, responded to the concerns, explaining, “Whenever vehicles are stuck on the highway, we promptly use cranes to move them and clear the road, normalizing traffic. The disruption typically lasts for a few minutes until the obstructing vehicle is removed.”
