Pune: A 32-km elevated corridor stretching from Swaminarayan Mandir (Jambhulwadi) to Dehu Road junction on NH-48 has been proposed to ease chronic congestion at the accident-prone Navale Bridge. Minister of state for home, Yogesh Kadam, informed the state assembly on Tuesday that the proposal is currently pending approval from the Centre.Responding to a query by Khadakwasla MLA Bhimrao Tapkir, Kadam stated that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has prepared a detailed plan for the Rs6,090 crore project. The proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for approval.“Once the central govt approves the NHAI proposal, the state will be able to provide a definitive timeline for the commencement and completion of the project,” Kadam said. He noted that while short-term measures, such as reduced speed limits, rumble strips, and service road widening, are already in place, the elevated corridor is the only long-term solution for the stretch.The urgency of the project follows a major accident on Nov 13 at Navale Bridge, where a container truck suffered brake failure and rammed into multiple vehicles. The crash resulted in eight fatalities and left over 20 people seriously injured. Investigations by the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) confirmed the vehicle was not overloaded and possessed valid documentation, highlighting the inherent structural and traffic risks of the stretch.Providing accident data for the past five years, Kadam said there were 12 accidents in 2022, three in 2023, five in 2024 and eight in 2025, with four deaths in 2022, two in 2023, three in 2024 and eight in 2025 reported on the stretch.In response to a query from MLA Shankar Jagtap regarding an elevated road from Wakad to Dehu Road, the minister confirmed that this section is included in the broader 32-km proposal. Regarding concerns over encroachments raised by MLA Tapkir, Kadam noted that multiple high-level meetings involving the divisional commissioner, collector, PMRDA, PMC, and PCMC have been held to streamline removal drives.NHAI officials emphasised that the elevated corridor will fundamentally change the traffic dynamics of NH-48 by segregating local commuters from through-traffic.“The proposed corridor aims to ensure an uninterrupted flow of traffic, enhancing safety and efficiency. It is expected to increase average speeds to 80 km/h and reduce travel time by 30-40%,” an NHAI official told TOI. The official added that the project would also lower vehicle operating costs (VOC) and emissions, contributing to more sustainable urban mobility.
