Diwali Holidays Cause Massive Traffic Jam on Mumbai-Pune Highway; 5 km Long Vehicle Queue Reported!

Lonavala:
Following the Diwali festival and the extended weekend with holidays on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the Lonavala-Karla region witnessed an unprecedented rush of tourists and devotees. Thousands thronged to popular spots like Karla Caves, Bhaje Caves, Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort, and the revered Ekvira Devi Temple.

The massive influx of vehicles led to severe traffic congestion, with queues stretching up to five kilometers on the old Mumbai-Pune highway between Wakasai Phata and Takwe Phata. Adding to the chaos, sudden unseasonal rains forced many devotees and tourists to park vehicles along the roadside, worsening the traffic situation.

Under the guidance of Lonavala Rural Police Inspector Dinesh Tayade, officers including Sub-Inspector Niranjan Jadhav, Hawaldar Bhushan Kadam, and Home Guards Nivrutti Marathe, Nagnath Jagtap, Sai Tikhe, Shantaram Kadu, and Vinod Ikari worked tirelessly to ease the congestion. Several local citizens also assisted police officials in regulating the traffic.

Tourists from across Maharashtra flocked to Lonavala, Khandala, Karla, and Pawananagar to enjoy the scenic beauty and festive atmosphere. While local businesses and hotels experienced brisk sales and full occupancy, residents expressed frustration over the traffic snarls.

Meanwhile, the Ekvira Devi Temple Trust, along with police authorities, made continuous efforts to ensure smooth darshan for devotees. Popular tourist spots such as Bhushi Dam, Lions Point, Rajmachi Garden, Khandala Boating Club, and Tungarli Dam were filled with families enjoying the cool weather and lush surroundings.

As a result, Lonavala and Khandala were practically “house full,” with most hotels, resorts, and private bungalows booked to capacity, reflecting the strong revival of domestic tourism during the festive season.