Rise in accidental deaths between Kiwale and Amrutanjan point on Pune-Mumbai highway

At least 28 accidental deaths occurred on the Pune-Mumbai highway section between Kiwale and Amrutanjan point last year, according to data from the highway police

At least 28 accidental deaths occurred on the Pune-Mumbai highway section between Kiwale and Amrutanjan point last year, according to data from the highway police. According to officials, excessive speeding, unavoidable human error, and abrupt stops on the road are to blame for the tragic accidents.

MSRDC in its safety findings report had stated that the ghat road section, sharp turns and tunnels on the highway too have added to the increased number of accidents due to factors like vehicle speed and reckless driving. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

As many as 22 accidental deaths were reported in 2021, 26 in 2020 and 37 in 2019, as per data.

Following the death of MLA Vinayak Mete in a road accident on the high-speed corridor in 2022, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has deployed additional police personnel, six sumo vehicles, a patrol squad, and delta force to prevent the increasing number of accidents on the highway.

MSRDC in its safety findings report had stated that the ghat road section, sharp turns and tunnels on the highway too have added to the increased number of accidents due to factors like vehicle speed and reckless driving. The corporation also demolished Amrutanjan bridge but various traffic problems, including congestion, fatalities and accidents persist.

“Strict action will be taken against drivers that break rules and jump the lane by identifying the places of congestion and accidents on the highway. All stakeholders are working together to stop accidents. Two teams have been formed to curb the speeding of vehicles and take action against the violators. Also, two and four-wheeler-based patrolling has been initiated in the spot to reduce the number of accidents,” said Lata Phad, highway safety patrol SP, Pune region

The roads department has pointed out that the ghat section of the highway was prone to cracks wherein protective nets, concrete walls and gabion walls have been installed to prevent the recurrence of previous accidents. Similarly, caution boards have been installed on both sides of the highway to warn motorists about dangerous places between the highways and the sharp turns that are likely to cause accidents and trigger fatalities.

Demolition of Amrutanjan bridge

The 190-year-old Amrutanjan Bridge was demolished in April 2020 through controlled blasts. The British-era bridge had been in a state of disuse for several years and was regarded as an iconic structure for motorists using the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The MSRDC claimed that traffic jams at the spot would be over as the bridge had caused a steep turn due to which vehicles travelling towards Mumbai regularly met with accidents daily. The spot used to witness at least one minor mishap every day.