Tragic Accident on Pune Bypass Claims Life of Scooter Rider
A devastating road accident on the Katraj-Dehu Road bypass in Pune resulted in the death of a 35-year-old scooter rider early Friday morning. The incident occurred around 7 am under the Navale bridge, where a truck lost control and collided with multiple vehicles, causing significant traffic disruptions.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The deceased has been identified as Ashfaq Chaudhari, a resident of Kondhwa who worked as a private bus driver. Chaudhari was on his way to work when the accident took place. According to police reports, the truck was heading towards Chandni Chowk when the driver experienced a technical issue with the brakes. The steep descent on the bypass towards Navale bridge exacerbated the situation, leading to the driver losing control.
Inspector Sunil Gawali from the traffic police stated that the accident blocked one lane of the bypass, although two lanes remained open for traffic until damaged vehicles could be cleared. Senior police inspector Asaram Shete of the Narhe police provided further details, explaining that the truck first slammed into a private bus waiting at the traffic signal. It then veered towards the side margin of the road, striking Chaudhari's scooter, which was also stopped at the signal.
Aftermath and Legal Actions
The impact caused the bus to crash into four cars and an autorickshaw. While all six vehicles sustained damage, police confirmed that no one inside them was injured. The truck driver, a native of Bidar in Karnataka, initially fled the scene but later surrendered to the authorities. He has been charged under sections 106 (causing death by negligence) and 281 (rash driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act.
History of Accidents and Safety Measures
This stretch of the Katraj bypass has been notorious for multiple accidents in recent years, prompting authorities to implement various safety measures. Following a fatal accident in November 2025, officials mandated stricter traffic controls, engineering improvements, and enhanced emergency response protocols.
Key safety upgrades include:
- Reduction of the maximum permissible speed to 40 kmph between Bhumkar Bridge and Navale Bridge, effective from December 4 last year.
- Increase in the number of speed guns from 3 to 6 to monitor vehicle speeds more effectively.
- Installation of new speed camera gantries between the new Katraj tunnel and Navale Bridge for automatic detection of speeding violations.
- Implementation of high-quality 20mm-high rumble strips and cat-eyes, particularly on the downhill slope towards Navale Bridge, to force vehicles to slow down.
Despite these efforts, accidents continue to occur, highlighting the ongoing challenges in ensuring road safety on this critical bypass. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilant driving and robust infrastructure to prevent such tragedies in the future.
