The stretch of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway between Swami Narayan Mandir to Vadgaon Bridge has become a hotspot for accidents, with residents and commuters now urging authorities to take immediate safety measures.
Over the past three years, accident rates have surged alarmingly across several points, specifically around Swami Narayan Mandir, Navale Bridge, Jambhulwadi Bridge and Vadgaon Bridge.
According to Sinhagad Police Station data, in 2023, one accident was reported from Swami Narayan Mandir to Vadgaon Bridge, with no fatalities. In 2024, around seven accidents were reported, resulting in five deaths. In 2025, three accidents were reported, and all of them were fatal.
What caused the accidents?
After the newly completed Katraj Tunnel, the road slopes steeply downward. This often causes heavy vehicles like trucks and containers to speed up uncontrollably, leading to serious accidents.
“The consequences of these frequent accidents are severe. It not only poses a threat to life but also creates a long traffic jam that lasts for hours. The long wait hours have become common, which severely impacts office commuters, residents and emergency service vehicles. The lack of adequate traffic police presence between Navale Bridge and Bhumkar Chowk has only worsened the situation,” said Aditya More, a resident.
“After an accident, there's no immediate response from the traffic police. The road gets blocked for hours, and people are stranded. We want speed bumps to be installed, installation of rumble strips, speed breakers, and warning signboards, construction of zigzag lanes and reflectors to slow down vehicles, deployment of more traffic police and installation of CCTV cameras. Ready availability of cranes and ambulances to quickly clear accident sites is required,” said a frustrated commuter.
“We’ve lost too many lives already. NHAI must act now. Unless concrete action is taken soon, the citizens fear that the number of accidents and lives lost will only continue to rise. It’s time for swift coordination between the NHAI, traffic police and the city administration to ensure safety on one of Pune’s busiest and most dangerous highway stretches,” said Rekha Konde, a local citizen from Vadgaon Budruk.
Preventive Measures
According to Manoj Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police, several preventive measures have already been initiated, including increased use of rumble strips and warning boards.
Sanjay Kadam, Project Director of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), confirmed that a proposal for a new flyover at Navale Bridge has been submitted to the Union Highways Ministry to provide a long-term solution.
