Pune Civic Body Launches Six-Month Safety Drive for Accident-Prone Katraj-Navale Bridge Stretch

Following a deadly crash, PMC initiates a comprehensive six-month overhaul of the Katraj-Navale Bridge corridor to curb accidents and improve safety.

Pune | November 15, 2025: A deadly accident on the slope between the Katraj Tunnel and Navale Bridge recently shook Pune, prompting the civic administration to announce a comprehensive six-month safety drive for one of the city’s most accident-prone corridors. The crash, caused when a heavily loaded vehicle lost control on the steep gradient and rammed multiple cars before erupting into flames, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, reigniting long-standing public anger about the dangerous stretch. In the aftermath, senior officials from various departments convened an emergency review and directed immediate interventions to prevent further tragedies.

PMC has now initiated a coordinated plan involving traffic engineering, roadway redesign and enforcement measures. One of the first steps will be the installation of rumble strips at regular intervals, with varying depths of 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm to force speed reduction. Reflective CAT-Eye markers will line all lanes to improve night visibility, while large illuminated caution boards will warn drivers well in advance of the downhill curve. The civic body is also enforcing a strict speed limit of 40 km/h for all vehicles and has instructed heavy trucks to stay in the designated lane to avoid sudden lane changes. Officials have also declared that halting or parking at any point along the slope will be strictly prohibited.

In addition to traffic-calming interventions, the civic body has taken up major improvements to the service roads parallel to the highway. These include stretches between Sus Khind and Radha Hotel, Dukkar Khind to the Mutha river, Vadgaon Bridge to Navale Bridge and Navale Bridge to Bhumkar Bridge. These upgrades are expected to reduce congestion on the main carriageway by encouraging vehicles to use alternative routes and safer access points. The improvement work is scheduled to be completed within six months as part of the ongoing operation.

Experts have repeatedly warned that the steep gradient of this downhill stretch remains a significant factor contributing to repeated accidents. The slope, which exceeds recommended safe levels for heavy vehicles, puts enormous strain on braking systems, making vehicles prone to brake failure or sudden skidding. The combination of high speeds, heavy traffic, and poor lane discipline has turned this corridor into a black spot over the years. Despite past attempts to fix the issue with signage and speed breakers, the engineering flaws have persisted, calling for stronger interventions like the ones now planned.

The recent tragedy has increased pressure on municipal authorities to deliver results quickly and consistently. Coordination between PMC, highway authorities, traffic police and other departments will be crucial, as fragmentation of responsibility has long been a barrier to implementing sustained safety measures. Officials have stated that regular site inspections, progress audits and enforcement checks will be carried out during the six-month period to ensure that no work falls short of required standards.

For daily commuters and residents living near the Katraj–Navale corridor, the launch of this operation brings a mix of relief and cautious optimism. While the measures announced have the potential to significantly reduce accidents, the public remains wary due to earlier repairs that failed to make a lasting impact. Many believe that unless engineering-level changes, such as slope restructuring or additional escape lanes, are taken up in the long run, the safety risk will continue.

In conclusion, the six-month safety drive marks a major step toward addressing the long-standing danger posed by the Katraj–Navale Bridge stretch. With new traffic-calming measures, upgrades to service roads and stricter enforcement, the civic administration hopes to transform one of Pune’s most hazardous routes into a safer corridor. The success of the initiative, however, will depend on sustained monitoring and commitment to long-term engineering solutions.

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