Pune: Speed Limit Halved, Rumble Strips Added & Heavy Vehicle Checks Tightened After Navale Bridge Fatal Crash — Click To Know Full Details
Pune: Speed Limit Halved, Rumble Strips Added & Heavy Vehicle Checks Tightened After Navale Bridge Fatal Crash — Click To Know Full Details
The deadly accident on Pune’s Navale Bridge on 13 November, caused by brake failure in a truck, claimed eight lives and has once again highlighted the dangers of this accident-prone stretch. With 210 accidents recorded over the last eight years, concerns among residents about safety on the Navale Bridge corridor continue to grow.
Responding to the incident, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a series of corrective measures aimed at curbing speeding and preventing further mishaps. High-quality rumble strips will be installed every 500 metres between the Katraj New Tunnel and Navale Bridge to enforce speed control on the steep gradient.
A review meeting was held at the PMC office on Friday, attended by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Additional Police Commissioner Manoj Patil and officials from multiple civic departments. Commissioner Ram noted that the sharp descent near Navale Bridge is a major contributor to the frequent crashes. The new rumble strips are expected to help significantly in slowing vehicles down.
Three-Tier Safety Action Plan
The PMC has outlined a three-tier strategy to reduce accidents along the stretch:
- Installation of LED warning signboards
- Strict action by traffic police against speeding vehicles
- Reduction of the current speed limit from 60 kmph to 40 kmph
Plans also include deploying speed-detection systems and cameras, while action will be taken against motorists who park vehicles illegally along the route.
Service Road Work to Improve Flow
To ease traffic congestion along the Pune–Bengaluru highway, work on four new service roads between the Katraj Tunnel and Hinjawadi is underway. Similar service roads are needed between Balewadi and Katraj as well, and land acquisition will proceed with TDR, FSI benefits and compensation for landowners. The PMC aims to complete the four service roads within six months, Commissioner Ram added.
