Pune: The stretch of the Pune-Mumbai highway between Dehu Road and Lonavala is increasingly becoming a hotspot for traffic congestion and accidents. Despite several inspections and proposed safety measures by the Road Development Corporation, the lack of implementation has led to a continued series of accidents.

On Wednesday (June 19) morning, a tragic container accident near Matoshree Hospital in Wadgaon resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to four others, including three students. This incident has intensified calls for urgent safety improvements on the highway.

Villages and growing urban areas on both sides of the highway require residents to frequently cross the road, making the numerous intersections highly dangerous. Increased traffic from local industries and insufficient service roads further contribute to the problem.

Current Issues:

• Heavy vehicle traffic due to major companies and local industries.

• Encroachments on service roads causing passenger buses and other vehicles to stop on the highway.

• Frequent accidents due to sudden loss of vehicle control.

Temporary Measures Taken:

• Improvements at Central Hotel Junction in Dehu Road.

• Flyover construction at Kamshet.

• Ongoing road improvement work at Somatane Phata.

Proposed Permanent Solutions:

• Underpasses and flyovers at key intersections.

• Improved service roads and installation of traffic signals, signboards, and speed breakers.

• Permanent closure of dangerous intersections.

Key Accident-Prone Spots:

• Central Hotel in Dehu Road

• Shelarwadi Phata

• Begdewadi Station Phata

• Ladkat Petrol Pump Road

• Shirgaon Phata

• Somatane Phata

• Limb Phata in Talegaon

• IBP Petrol Pump (Lake Shore Society)

• CRPF Road

• Wadgaon-Talegaon Phata

• Wadgaon Phata

• Matoshree Hospital

• New English School

• Digvijay Colony

• Malinagar

• Jambhul Phata

• Kanhe Phata

• Naigaon Phata

• Karla Phata