In a significant update for daily commuters, the Pune Traffic Police have decided to revise the speed restriction on a crucial section of the Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass. The limit has been increased to 40 kilometres per hour for vehicles moving between Swaminarayan Temple and Wadgaon Bridge.
Response to Public Feedback and Safety Concerns
This decision, announced on Thursday, comes just about a week after authorities had imposed a stricter cap of 30 kmph on the same one-kilometre stretch. That initial reduction was a direct response to multiple accidents occurring in the area, highlighting serious safety issues.
The revision followed after the police department received considerable feedback from the public. Many drivers and residents felt that the 30 kmph limit was excessively slow for a bypass road designed for smoother traffic flow. Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil stated that after reviewing the situation and considering the public's input, the decision was made to adjust the limit upwards to 40 kmph.
The Trigger: A Tragic Accident
The entire sequence of events leading to the speed limit changes was set off by a devastating accident on November 14. Near the Bhumkar Bridge, a speeding truck lost control and crashed into several vehicles. The tragic collision resulted in the deaths of eight people and left 13 others injured.
This horrific incident prompted immediate action from the city's administration. A high-level meeting was convened involving the Pune police, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and other concerned authorities. The collective aim was to devise strategies to prevent such tragedies in the future. It is important to note that before the recent changes, this bypass stretch had a permissible speed limit of 50 kmph.
Implementation and Enforcement Measures
Following the initial imposition of the 30 kmph limit, the NHAI undertook several steps to ensure compliance and awareness:
- Updating all speed limit boards and road signs along the affected stretch.
- Installing advanced speed cameras calibrated to the new limit.
These cameras have been actively monitoring traffic and issuing online challans (e-challans) to vehicles found violating the speed regulations. With the latest revision to 40 kmph, it is expected that the authorities will reconfigure these automated systems to enforce the updated limit.
The move by the Pune Traffic Police demonstrates a balanced approach to road safety and traffic management. While the primary goal remains preventing accidents and saving lives, the authorities have also shown responsiveness to practical concerns raised by citizens, aiming for regulations that are both safe and reasonable for the road's design and purpose.
