Pune Police to Restrict Heavy Vehicle Traffic on Mumbai-Bangalore Bypass to Ease Congestion

Pune, 24th August 2024: In a bid to address the growing traffic congestion along the Mumbai-Bangalore bypass, Pune Police, in collaboration with Pimpri-Chinchwad and Rural Police, has decided to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles during peak hours. This measure aims to alleviate the traffic woes that have plagued the outer ring road, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours.

Starting soon, heavy vehicles will be banned from using the outer ring road between 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A proposal outlining these restrictions will be sent to the District Collector for final approval.

Urbanization along the Mumbai-Bangalore bypass has significantly increased, with the nearby Hinjewadi IT Park contributing to the heavy traffic flow during peak office hours. The presence of large trucks and other heavy vehicles on the bypass has led to frequent traffic disruptions, forcing commuters to navigate through severe traffic jams. In some cases, these disruptions have also resulted in serious accidents.

“To mitigate these issues, we have decided to impose restrictions on heavy vehicles during peak hours,” said Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil during a press conference on Saturday.

The narrow bridges at Vadgaon and over the Mutha River at Warje have been identified as particular choke points contributing to traffic jams. According to Patil, restricting heavy vehicles during rush hours will help to ease the congestion in these areas.

The decision to impose these restrictions comes in the wake of alarming statistics. Last year, 21 people lost their lives in accidents on the Mumbai-Bangalore bypass. In the first eight months of this year alone, 15 fatalities have been recorded due to various accidents on the outer ring road.

Given the rising number of accidents and the ongoing traffic congestion, the Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Rural Police have decided to take swift action by proposing these restrictions. The proposal will be reviewed by the District Collector, with a final decision expected after considering public objections and suggestions.

To accommodate the needs of heavy vehicle operators, the police have designated specific areas for parking during the restricted hours. A 17-acre plot in the Khed Shivapur area and a location along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway have been earmarked for this purpose.

The Mumbai-Bangalore bypass was once an out-of-town route but has seen rapid urbanization in recent years. Similar restrictions on heavy vehicles have already been successfully implemented on highways passing through Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. “These new measures aim to keep traffic on the outer ring road smooth and efficient,” stated Add CP Patil.

With the proposed restrictions, authorities hope to see a significant reduction in traffic congestion and accidents, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for all road users.