Pune: Fadnavis, Pawar Direct Immediate Intervention at Navale Bridge Accident Zone; Mohol Meets Officials
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 15th November 2025: Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol on Saturday directed all relevant authorities to immediately implement short-term safety measures at Navale Bridge, stressing that temporary steps cannot wait for long-term solutions. The instructions came during a high-level review meeting convened in the aftermath of Saturday’s accident at the Navale bridge stretch in which eight people lost their lives while 15 others sustained injuries.
The coordination meeting was attended by MLA Bhimrao Tapkir, Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase, Superintendent of Police (Pune rural) Sandeep Singh Gill, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officer Sanjay Kadam, the Regional Transport Officer and senior officials from multiple civic and transport agencies.
Mohol said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar have already sought clarity from all departments on “what exactly can be done” to prevent recurring accidents. He added that corrective steps will be taken along the corridor from Jambhulwadi to Vadgaon.
He instructed that the District Collector–led Road Safety Committee must hold meetings as per schedule without delay. “The stalled service road works must be completed immediately. NHAI should start the widening of the Vadgaon bridge without further postponement,” Mohol told officials.
Permanent Solutions Under Consideration
Calling the stretch a “high-risk zone,” Mohol said the long-term solution lies in creating alternative traffic corridors.
Jambhulwadi–Warje Ring Road: PMRDA is currently preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Mohol directed that the process be fast-tracked.
Jambhulwadi–Ravet Elevated Corridor: The DPR for this corridor has been completed and will be placed before the State Cabinet for approval soon.
“These projects will significantly reduce congestion and accidents in the Navale Bridge area once executed,” Mohol said.
Responsibilities Assigned; Review Next Month
All participating agencies were given sector-wise responsibilities, with Mohol announcing that a progress review would be held in the second or third week of December as per the official minutes of the meeting.
Short-Term Measures to Be Implemented Immediately
Authorities have been instructed to carry out the following steps without delay:
Increase the number of speed guns on the stretch from 3 to 6
Reduce vehicle speed limit from 60 kmph to 30 kmph
Add more road reflectors for better visibility
PMPML to designate official bus stops
All agencies to remove encroachments along service roads within their jurisdiction
Action Against Heavy Vehicles
The Regional Transport Department has been tasked with strict enforcement at the Khed Shivapur toll plaza, where overloaded trucks and heavy vehicles will be checked for brake efficiency and other technical aspects.
Violators will face penalties at the next toll plaza.
With a series of short-term and long-term measures now defined, Mohol said he expects full compliance from all agencies to prevent further incidents at the Navale bridge stretch.
