The new 500-meter road between Hinjawadi Phase 2 and Laxmi Chowk is now open, offering commuters a smoother, faster route. Photo: PuneriPages.in
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
PUNE, July 3, 2025 — Finally, a bit of good news for anyone who has ever sat frustrated in Hinjawadi traffic (which is all of us, right?). A brand new 500-meter road is now open, connecting Hinjawadi Phase 2 directly to Laxmi Chowk. This might sound small, but for daily commuters, it’s a total game-changer.
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What Just Opened?
The road officially opened yesterday with a small but significant inauguration ceremony led by MLA Minal Mohol. But what really matters is what this road means for you and me: less time stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and a smoother entry and exit to one of Pune’s busiest tech hubs.
This new stretch bypasses the usual choke points and helps decongest the main artery near Phase 2. It connects near the Infosys campus and exits close to Laxmi Chowk, cutting through what used to be an open plot.
The Difference It Makes (And Yes, We Checked)
If you’ve ever tried to get from Phase 2 to Laxmi Chowk at 6 PM, you know the struggle. It could take 25-30 minutes to crawl through.
We did a test run today using both the old and new routes. Here’s what we found:
- Old route: 26 minutes during peak hour
- New route: 11 minutes during peak hour
That’s 15 minutes saved just like that. Imagine what that means over a week, a month, a year!
A Daily Commuter Speaks
We spoke with Sneha Deshmukh, an IT professional at Tech Mahindra, who commutes daily from Wakad.
“This road is such a relief. Earlier, I used to leave office before time just to avoid traffic. Now I can actually stay back and finish work without panicking about getting stuck for 40 minutes.”
We hear you, Sneha. We feel the same.
But It’s Not a Magic Wand
Sure, this road helps. But let’s not kid ourselves—Hinjawadi traffic is still a beast. This is a great step, but we’ll need more such smart planning to really make this tech corridor commuter-friendly.
When asked about future plans, a representative from MLA Minal Mohol’s office told PuneriPages:
“This road was a high-priority project because of consistent complaints. But yes, we’re also working on further expansions, and talks are on for a signal-free corridor plan.”
Let’s hope those talks turn into action soon.
How to Use the New Road (Quick Guide)
If you’re headed from Phase 2:
- Start near the Infosys circle.
- Take the new road on your left before the congested chowk.
- It will directly lead you to Laxmi Chowk within 500 meters.
Coming from Laxmi Chowk?
- You can enter the same road from the opposite side, near the auto-rickshaw stand.
It’s open 24/7 and doesn’t have any toll or restrictions (for now).
FAQ: New Hinjawadi Road
Q: Where does it start and end?
A: Starts near Infosys Phase 2 and ends at Laxmi Chowk.
Q: How much time does it save?
A: Up to 15 minutes during peak hours, based on our test.
Q: Is it open for all vehicles?
A: Yes, two-wheelers, cars, and rickshaws can all use it.
Q: Who built it?
A: The project was funded through PMRDA and executed with help from the local MLA office.
Final Thoughts
It’s small moves like this that slowly but surely make Pune a better place to live and work. We’re all used to complaining about traffic (guilty!), so it’s only fair to celebrate a win when it comes.
Try the new road. Tell us if it made your day better. And don’t forget to share this update with your Hinjawadi gang on WhatsApp.
— Team PuneriPages.in
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