Pune Collector Orders Immediate Action on 42 High-Risk Road Accident Spots Across District

Pune, 24th June 2025: Alarmed by the increasing number of road fatalities in Pune district, Collector Jitendra Dudi has instructed all concerned departments to take urgent and coordinated measures to eliminate 42 identified accident-prone locations, or blackspots. A deadline of one month has been set to submit detailed action reports on safety improvements at each site.
Chairing the District Road Safety Committee meeting on Monday at the Pune collectorate, Dudi emphasized the need for a scientific, data-driven, and time-bound approach to reduce crashes and save lives.

“We must act without delay. Every agency must take responsibility for its jurisdiction and implement both immediate and long-term safety solutions. This is a life-saving mission, not just a routine administrative task,” Dudi said during the meeting.

Breakdown of Blackspot Responsibility
As per official data presented in the meeting, the 42 blackspots are distributed as follows:
15 under Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)
22 under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
2 each under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and Public Works Department (PWD)
1 under the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC)
These locations have been marked due to a high frequency of fatal and serious road accidents.

Immediate and Long-Term Fixes Ordered
The collector directed that a combination of short-term and permanent solutions be deployed. These include:
Installation of directional and warning signboards
Placement of barricades
Clearing roadside obstructions
Improving street lighting

Temporary traffic restrictions, where necessary
The traffic police and regional transport department have been asked to physically inspect all blackspots and provide a comprehensive report on safety interventions taken, including data from past accidents and cause-wise analysis.

“Each accident site must be studied to understand what went wrong. Solutions must be tailored and replicable in similar zones across the district,” Dudi added.

Khadakwasla Congestion Gets Special Mention
Recognizing the frequent bottlenecks near Khadakwasla dam, Dudi instructed the traffic department to immediately deploy additional personnel to manage congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow in the area.

Focus on Public Awareness and Collaboration
During the meeting, Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad highlighted the importance of coupling engineering fixes with behavioural awareness.
“Infrastructure improvements are critical, but we must also educate citizens. People need to be made aware of where the blackspots are and how to navigate them safely,” Gaikwad stated.
The administration also announced that dedicated funds will be allocated for road safety awareness campaigns and infrastructure upgrades. Local authorities have been asked to collaborate with community groups, NGOs, and schools to promote road safety practices among citizens, especially youth.

Superintendent Engineer Bappa Bahir presented a digital progress report on road safety interventions undertaken so far under the committee’s guidance. PWD Executive Engineer Milind Barbhai, along with senior officials from NHAI, MSRDC, MSIDC, PMC, PCMC, and the police, were also present at the meeting.

“Every Life Matters”: Dudi’s Closing Words
“Fixing a blackspot is not just about cement and barricades,” Dudi concluded. “It’s about creating a culture of accountability and safety. Every life lost on the road is a collective failure. Each department must step up and ensure that Pune becomes a safer place for every commuter.”