Pune: Navale Bridge Death Trap? Delayed Infrastructure Projects Under Scrutiny
Pune, 15th November 2025: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had the option to prioritise safety at the accident-prone Navale Bridge stretch by constructing a small bridge between Navale Bridge and Vadgaon Bridge.
However, despite repeated accidents, the proposal has remained unattended for the past three years. Instead, focus shifted to a massive 32-kilometre elevated highway project worth Rs 6,000 crore — a plan that has been awaiting approval for two years and will take at least three more years to complete once sanctioned.
Until then, residents and regular commuters around Navale Bridge will continue to travel with risk to their lives.
The stretch from the Katraj New Tunnel to the canal has a steep gradient, making it difficult for heavy vehicles to maintain control. Brake failure on this slope has been a recurring cause of major accidents.
In 2021, a plan to construct a small connecting bridge between Navale Bridge and Vadgaon Bridge was submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation. The bridge, meant to ease traffic flow and reduce accident risk, remains unbuilt even after three years.
Meanwhile, NHAI drafted a plan for a 32.27-kilometre elevated corridor from the Katraj Tunnel to Ravet, passing through densely populated areas. The project, divided into two phases, has yet to receive approval:
Phase 1: Sutarwadi to Ravet – 15.87 km
Phase 2: Sutarwadi to Jambhulwadi – 18.4 km
Total Estimated Cost: Rs 6,053 crore
Experts and local residents argue that immediate measures were needed at the Navale Bridge stretch, particularly to protect small-vehicle drivers and residents. Had the bridge between Navale and Vadgaon been constructed in January 2022 as proposed, several major accidents could have been prevented, they say.
NHAI project manager Sanjay Kadam claimed the slope near the new Katraj tunnel meets the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards. He said the recent accident occurred due to brake failure and added that necessary preventive measures have already been implemented.
Despite these assurances, the absence of timely infrastructure upgrades continues to put thousands of daily commuters at risk on one of Pune’s most dangerous road stretches.
