Pune: Fresh Safety Audit Ordered on Navale Bridge Stretch; Govt Agencies to Face Action for Negligence
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 17th November 2025: Expressing serious concern over increasing road accidents in the city, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar has directed authorities to take strict action against all traffic rule violators. He also instructed officials to immediately investigate the recent fatal accident at Navale Bridge and implement both short-term and long-term corrective measures on the route.
Dr. Pulkundwar was speaking at a review meeting held at the state legislature to discuss Pune’s traffic management and road safety. Pune Municipal Commissioner Navalkishor Ram, PMRDA Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, PMPML Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj Deore, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manoj Patil, and NHAI Project Director Sanjay Kadam were present. SaveLIFE Foundation founder and CEO Piyush Tiwari joined through video conferencing.
Fresh Review After Navale Bridge Tragedy
Officials were reminded that SaveLIFE Foundation had submitted a detailed report three to four years ago on the causes of accidents between the new Katraj tunnel and Navale Bridge. Several measures were implemented by various agencies based on that study. However, considering the recent tragic accident, Dr. Pulkundwar instructed the foundation to conduct a fresh, detailed study of the entire stretch in coordination with government departments.
Tiwari assured that the revised report would be submitted within two weeks.
‘Strict Action Needed Against Repeat Offenders’
Dr. Pulkundwar emphasised the need for uncompromising enforcement of traffic rules. He said every violator must be penalised, and licences of those who break rules more than three times should be suspended as per norms. If violations continue even after suspension, the concerned vehicle should be seized, he said.
He also instructed district authorities to hold monthly review meetings on road safety and ensure that previously recommended measures are fully implemented.
Responsibility of Road-Maintaining Agencies
Agencies responsible for specific roads will be held accountable for maintaining them in proper condition and ensuring smooth traffic flow. If roads are found to be in poor condition, action will be taken against the concerned agency by the District Magistrate, the Divisional Commissioner warned.
He further directed that rumblers, signages, road safety boards and barriers must be installed at required locations on highways. SaveLIFE Foundation has been asked to study traffic congestion hotspots, accident-prone points and road design issues across Pune city and recommend corrective measures.
Additional Traffic Manpower Proposal Sent to State
The Pune Traffic Branch has already submitted a proposal to the state government for additional manpower and is following it up. Until the proposal is approved, the agencies responsible for the roads must provide traffic wardens as per the requirement of the traffic branch, Dr. Pulkundwar said.
Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram informed that PMC has already deployed traffic wardens at multiple ongoing road and bridge construction sites and suggested involving private organisations in traffic management.
PMRDA Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase stressed the need for immediate action at blackspots where accidents frequently occur.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi said Pune requires an Integrated Traffic Control Centre and recommended studying the model used in Hyderabad. The Divisional Commissioner directed officials to initiate work on this proposal.
During the meeting, SaveLIFE Foundation presented a detailed digital briefing. Senior officials from PMRDA, PMC, the National Highways and State Public Works Departments, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad RTOs, the police department and representatives of SaveLIFE Foundation were also present.
