Authorities are set to tighten surveillance on the newly opened Connecting Link section of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway following concerns over speeding and traffic rule violations. Officials confirmed that speed detection cameras will soon be installed in all four tunnels of the link to monitor vehicles exceeding the prescribed speed limit and to take action against offenders.
On Friday, a 35-year-old local Congress leader from Pimpri-Chinchwad was killed, and six others were injured after a speeding SUV rammed into the rear of a mini truck on the Expressway’s Connecting Link, marking the first fatal accident on the newly opened stretch.
After the accident, officials from the State Highway Safety Police and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation visited and reviewed the spot.
Shivaji Pawar, superintendent of police (Highway Safety Patrol, Pune), said, “Considering the speeding-related issues, it is advised to install speed cameras across the Connecting Link project so that with the help of these cameras police can take appropriate action.”
Rahul Vasaikar, superintendent engineer, MSRDC, said, “We have decided to install speed cameras across the stretch and within one month we are planning to install over 50 speed cameras.”
The Connecting Link project opened to public traffic on May 1 and has significantly reduced travel time on the Pune-Mumbai route by providing a faster alternative to the existing stretch. However, speeding and traffic violations on the new section have raised road-safety concerns.
{{/usCountry}}The Connecting Link project opened to public traffic on May 1 and has significantly reduced travel time on the Pune-Mumbai route by providing a faster alternative to the existing stretch. However, speeding and traffic violations on the new section have raised road-safety concerns.
{{/usCountry}}Officials said they would strengthen enforcement measures to ensure motorists follow speed limits and other traffic regulations while using the Connecting Link.
Tempo truck driver booked for flouting norms
On Saturday, Lonavla city police confirmed they booked the driver of a tempo truck, who was involved in the accident, for allegedly violating the ban on entry of goods-carrying heavy vehicles on the Connecting Link stretch of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway.
Sachin Patil, senior police inspector of Lonavla city police, said, “We have invoked additional sections 119 and 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act against the driver for entering the Connecting Link despite restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles.”
The action follows a notification issued by the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), Maharashtra. According to the notification, the traffic on the Connecting Link will be regulated in phases for safety inside the tunnels and for technical reasons.
During the first phase, from May 1 to October 31, 2026, entry on the connecting link is restricted to light motor vehicles and passenger buses/passenger vehicles. Goods-carrying vehicles have been prohibited from using the stretch during this period.
The notification further states that the restriction on goods vehicles will be reviewed after six months before a decision is made.
According to the notification dated 27 April, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, inflammable substances, or explosives are strictly prohibited from using the Connecting Link at all times. Such vehicles should continue to utilise the existing Expressway. As far as the speed limit is concerned, it is clearly mentioned in the notification that the permissible speed limit for cars (LMV) on Connecting Link is 100kmph while passengers buses/vehicles speed limit is 80 kmph.
The Lonavla city police said the tempo driver has been booked under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Earlier, police have registered a case against the SUV driver under Sections 106(1), 281, 125(a), 125(b) and 324(4)(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 184 and 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act.