Brake Failures, Drunk Driving, Speeding & More: Punekars Alarmed As Accidents Surge Near Navale & Vadgaon Bridges

The Pune-Bengaluru highway, particularly the stretches near Navale Bridge and Vadgaon Bridge, is fast becoming a danger zone for commuters, with a rising number of fatal accidents being reported in recent months.

In the last five months on the Pune-Bengaluru highway near Vadgaon Bridge, a total of four accidents took place, leading to four fatalities, one serious injury and a few minor injuries, said Senior Police Inspector Dilip Dhaingade of Sinhagad Police Station.

In a recent case, a pillion rider lost his life and another was injured after a truck hit them from behind at Vadgaon Bridge on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as Kiran Pawar (25), a resident of Shram Safalya Colony in Karve Nagar.

According to the police, Pawar's friend Yash Kirdat (25), also a resident of Karve Nagar, who was riding the bike, was seriously injured in the accident when the speeding truck hit them from behind around 5am. Further, the truck collided with two other vehicles.

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Dhaingade said, “Acting on the information received, a team rushed to the spot. The duo were shifted to a hospital for treatment, where Pawar was pronounced dead while Kirdat was admitted for treatment. The driver has been arrested. As per initial interrogation, the truck driver was not drunk. However, the driver admitted that the accident occurred due to brake failure. The matter is under investigation.”

Other Cases

May 3, 2025 – Wadgaon Bridge

On May 3, a speeding Mercedes car rammed into a two-wheeler at the Wadgaon Bridge stretch of the Pune–Bengaluru highway, leaving a pillion rider dead and the rider brutally injured. The deceased was identified as Kunal Manoj Hushar (23), a resident of Chinchwad. The injured rider, Prajyot Dipak Pujari (21), was also from Chinchwad.

The accused were identified as Shubham Rajendra Bhosale (27), Vednat Indra Singh Rajput (28), Shreyas Ramkrishna Solankhi (25) and Nikhil Milind Ranawade (26).

According to the police, of the four people in the car, three, including driver Bhosale, had consumed alcohol at a party organised in a restaurant at Hinjawadi. After consuming alcohol, they went to Khed Shivapur for a long drive. Later, while returning to Nigdi, they lost control and hit a two-wheeler, leading to one death.

May 3, 2025 – Navale Bridge

On the same day, a truck accident on the Navale Bridge claimed the life of a two-wheeler rider and left at least one other person injured. The incident took place around 1pm when a truck travelling from Katraj towards the city lost control and collided with several vehicles. The truck hit four to five vehicles, including two motorcycles and two auto-rickshaws. One two-wheeler rider was killed instantly, and another rider was seriously injured. Investigations revealed that the incident took place due to brake failure.

January 25, 2025 – Wadgaon Bridge

Two youngsters died and four were injured when a Swift car rammed into a stationary bus on the outer ring road around 5am near Wadgaon Bridge.

Reportedly, the Swift car, carrying six individuals, collided with a parked bus while returning from a friend's birthday party. The impact resulted in the immediate death of two passengers, while the remaining four were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Locals Speak Out

Ramesh Bhate, a resident of Vadgaon, speaking to FPJ, said, “Every other month we hear of a major accident on this road. The curves are deadly, and heavy vehicles, brake failures, alcoholic drivers and the absence of proper stickers and signboards are the causes behind the accidents.”

Pooja Deshmukh, who commutes daily via the Navale Bridge, added, “It’s terrifying to drive here. Brake failures, drunk driving and rash overtaking have taken many lives. Authorities need to install more CCTV cameras to curb overspeeding by penalising offenders. Moreover, vehicle fitness checks should be mandatory on this particular stretch.”