With 900 Lives Lost Annually in Pune, Officials Emphasize Helmets, Blackspots, and Traffic Safety
Pune, 3rd September 2025: Superintendent Engineer Bharatkumar Baviskar of the Public Works Department has urged all concerned departments to intensify efforts to reduce the number of deaths in road accidents across the district. He emphasized the need for detailed studies of accident-prone areas, or “blackspots,” and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures.
The statement came during a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee, held at the District Collector’s Office under the guidance of District Collector Jitendra Dudi.
Officials in attendance included Executive Engineer Milind Barbhai, Anuradha Bhandare, Pune Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad, Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO Sandesh Chavan, Baramati Sub-Regional Transport Officer Surendra Nikam, Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Sanjay Kadam, officers from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, and representatives from various social organizations.
While reviewing accident statistics in the district, Baviskar noted that more than 900 deaths occur annually. He stressed the need for surveys of blackspots and coordinated action by all departments. Referring to a suggestion made by District Collector Dudi on 23rd June 2025, he said that the Regional Transport Department had conducted a survey of blackspots and recommended measures, which now require timely implementation. Baviskar further highlighted that the police and transport departments must focus on areas with increasing traffic, particularly Hinjewadi and Chakan.
Baviskar also directed that vehicle dealers should be instructed to provide helmets to buyers at the time of purchase. He emphasized the importance of entering accurate information into the Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD), developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, to improve road safety and maintain reliable accident records.
Special instructions were also issued to enhance road safety in preparation for the international cycling competition ‘Pune Grand Challenge Tour’, scheduled in January 2026.
During the meeting, Archana Gaikwad, Sandesh Chavan, and Surendra Nikam presented updates on the blackspot surveys and suggested measures.
Sanjay Kadam reviewed the safety initiatives implemented on highways, while representatives from the Save Life Foundation presented a report on the Baramati city accident on 27th July and the measures taken in response.
