To address the frequent accidents on the Mumbai-Bengaluru national highway, authorities have taken a significant step by implementing a speed limit of 40 kmph for all categories of heavy vehicles between Katraj Tunnel and Navale Bridge.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vijay Kumar Magar has issued an official order in this regard. The order specifies that the speed limit of 40 km per hour applies to various types of heavy vehicles, including tractor-trailers, truck-tailors, articulated vehicles, multi-axle vehicles, containers, and large-sized goods vehicles while navigating the stretch between Katraj Tunnel and Navale Bridge.
The escalating number of accidents at Narhe on the Pune-Satara highway has emerged as a critical concern. In February 2021, MP Supriya Sule highlighted the urgent need for constructing two subways near Katraj Chowk during a Lok Sabha session. In response, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari acknowledged the severity of the accident issue on the Pune-Satara highway. He assured that four bridges would be constructed, with one to be completed within 25 days, and the remaining three bridges scheduled for completion by June.
This comprehensive plan was intended to alleviate the problem substantially. The National Highways Administration was entrusted with expediting the work to complete all tasks within six months. However, despite 21 months having passed, the work remains unfinished, causing delays and concerns for the safety of commuters.
The national highway that runs through Vadgaon Budruk and Narhe village is the Mumbai-Bangalore route via the Jambhulwadi tunnel. Over the past 25 years, numerous lives have been tragically lost on the Navale Bridge, Katraj Road, and the highway at Narhe. In recent months, there have been several major accidents in the area, resulting in the unfortunate loss of innocent lives. Former corporator Haridas Charwad, in an interview with Lokmat, emphasized the daily occurrence of traffic congestion under the Navale Bridge, highlighting the urgent need for a subway to be constructed in this location.