Pune: End to choking traffic on Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore Bypass in sight as authorities propose ban on heavy vehicles
Proposal to ban heavy vehicles on Katraj-Dehu Road bypass to alleviate traffic during peak hours
Pune, August 25, 2024: In a meeting held on 24th August, Pune, PCMC and Pune Rural Police have agreed on a proposal to ban the entry of heavy vehicles on Katraj-Dehu Road bypass to alleviate traffic during peak hours.
The police authorities have unanimously agreed to ban the entry of heavy vehicles on Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore Bypass between Katraj to Navale Bridge, Warje and Chandni Chowk to Pune-Mumbai Urse toll booth. Heavy vehicles will not be allowed to ply on these stretches during peak hours from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Heavy vehicles will be stopped before Kiwale Phata near Urse toll booth and beyond Katraj on the opposite side on the Mumbai-Pune highway.
The proposal for implementing this restriction has been sent to Pune District Collection and if implemented, these measures will bring the much-needed relief for commuters who need to use this highway for daily travel to and from work.
Excerpts from the meeting:
Additional Commissioner of Police, Manoj Patil briefed the media persons and highlighted the following points in support of the proposal to ban the entry of heavy vehicles on Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore highway during peak hours:
- Navale bridge, Vadgaon bridge, and Mutha bridge get chocked with traffic during peak hours
- There are many areas in Pimpri Chinchwad where traffic jams take place on the bypass every day
- Many areas have developed in the past few years along the bypass. Many residents of these areas work in various IT companies at Hinjawadi IT Park and there is no alternative road except the highway for daily commuters
- Areas near Navale bridge, Vadgaon bridge, and Mutha bridge have only two lanes hampering vehicular movement
- Thirty one people lost their lives in accidents on the bypass in 2023.
- This year so far, fifteen people have already lost their lives in accidents on the bypass in the first seven months of the year
“The National Highways Authority of India has two big vacant plots in the Katraj ghat section. Heavy vehicles heading towards Mumbai can be halted at these plots in the morning, while Pimpri Chinchwad police can halt movement of heavy vehicles towards Katraj at different spots near Dehu Road,” Patil added.
According to Patil, if this proposal goes through, the movement of traffic will become smoother during peak hours and the number of accidents will be reduced.
