Lonavala Traffic Department and Toll Naka Fail to Manage Traffic

Lonavala, February 11, 2026 — Weekend rush once again turned chaotic on the Mumbai–Pune route as massive traffic congestion was reported near Lonavala and adjoining toll nakas, leaving commuters stranded for hours. Several travelers alleged that the Lonavala Traffic Department and toll management authorities failed to control the situation effectively, resulting in long vehicle queues stretching for kilometres.

According to motorists, the jam intensified due to heavy tourist inflow, ongoing road repair work, and slow movement at toll booths. Commuters claimed that despite visible congestion, there was lack of proper traffic regulation, lane discipline, and timely diversion management. Many families heading towards hill stations reported being stuck for over 3–4 hours.

Local drivers also pointed out that poor coordination between highway authorities and toll operators worsened the situation. “There was no clear guidance or active monitoring. Vehicles were merging randomly, creating bottlenecks near the toll plaza,” said one commuter.

Meanwhile, officials from the traffic department stated that heavy weekend tourism and increased vehicle movement were primary reasons for the congestion. Authorities claimed that additional personnel were deployed to ease the flow and advised travelers to check traffic updates before planning trips.

The recurring traffic chaos has raised questions about infrastructure preparedness during peak travel seasons. Regular commuters are demanding better planning, real-time monitoring systems, and stricter toll management to prevent such disruptions in the future.

Further updates are awaited on measures being planned to address the issue.

— Reported by Ramchandra M. Chatri