Pune, Feb 18: A speeding dumper carrying gravel and crusher material collided with eight vehicles in succession on the Mumbai-Bangalore Highway shortly after exiting the new Katraj tunnel on Wednesday evening. The accident occurred around 5:45 PM. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, though preliminary reports indicate that four to five people sustained minor injuries. The incident adds to growing public concern over frequent accidents on this highway.
Eyewitnesses reported that the dumper first struck five vehicles near the Indian Oil pump immediately after exiting the tunnel. The driver did not stop and continued at high speed, hitting two more vehicles near the Swami Narayan temple before colliding with another car near Bhumkar Chowk around 6 PM. The vehicle finally came to a halt near Vadgaon bridge.
The dumper’s tires caught fire, causing panic among locals. Firefighters from the municipal brigade promptly arrived and extinguished the flames. The accident led to significant traffic congestion on the highway. Traffic officials and police—including Deputy Commissioner of Police Himat Jadhav, Assistant Commissioner Ajay Parmar, and Inspectors Asaram Shete, Sunil Gavli, and Sharad Zine—reached the scene to clear the damaged vehicles and restore traffic. A formal police report (panchanama) has been filed, and investigations are ongoing.
Concerns Over National Highway Authority Operations
Following the incident, local residents raised questions about the efficiency of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Citizens noted that no immediate mechanism was in place at this accident-prone location. Delays in deploying a crane resulted in further hold-ups, requiring traffic police to call in an emergency crane to remove the dumper and resume traffic flow. Residents also cited persistent overspeeding and insufficient control over heavy vehicles, calling for stricter monitoring and thorough inspections of vehicles and drivers using the Katraj tunnel.
Hazardous Stretch Between Katraj Tunnel and Vadgaon Bridge
The stretch from the Katraj tunnel to Vadgaon bridge has repeatedly proven dangerous for commuters. On November 13, a speeding container truck collided with 10–12 vehicles near the Navale bridge, killing eight people and injuring 22. Such recurring incidents have highlighted the urgent need for enhanced safety measures along this corridor.
