Pune: Katraj-Kondhwa Road Turns Into Death Trap: 21 Killed in 51 Accidents in 4.5 Years

Share this News: Katraj, 8th September 2026: The Katraj-Kondhwa Road has emerged as a major road-safety concern, with 21 people killed in 51 accidents reported over the past four-and-a-half years on the approximately 3.5-km stretch between Katraj Chowk and Khadi Machine Chowk. The widening of the road remains incomplete, while potholes, ongoing construction and heavy vehicle movement continue to create traffic and safety hazards. The issue has come into sharp focus following a recent fatal accident near Silver Oak Society, where a two-wheeler collided with a container, killing 16-year-old student Pratibha Dnyaneshwar Naik. Another student, Vaishnavi Dnyaneshwar Naik, suffered a thigh fracture and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. The accident has once again raised questions about the long-pending widening project and the safety arrangements on the busy road, where residents and motorists regularly face congestion and hazardous traffic conditions. According to records from the Bharati Vidyapeeth and Kondhwa police stations, 51 accidents have been reported on the 3.5-km stretch between Katraj Chowk and Khadi Machine Chowk, claiming 21 lives. Widening project remains incomplete The Katraj-Kondhwa Road is an 84-metre Development Plan (DP) road, with the project approved on October 31, 2018. It runs from Rajs Society through Khadi Machine Chowk to the PisolI area within Pune Municipal Corporation limits. However, the widening project has been delayed primarily due to pending land acquisition. The road has been completed from Rajs Society to Kapilamrut Dairy, while work is underway beyond that point. An underpass is also being constructed near Khadi Machine Chowk. Despite substantial expenditure on the project, several stretches remain incomplete, preventing motorists from getting the full benefit of the planned road infrastructure. The proposed width has now been reduced from 84 metres to 50 metres. Although service roads are included in the revised plan, provisions for a cycle track, footpaths and a green track for plantation have been dropped. Land acquisition for 10 properties is still pending. ₹395 crore deposited for land acquisition The Pune Municipal Corporation has deposited ₹395 crore with the District Collector's office for land acquisition related to the road. Of this, ₹272 crore has been allocated for the 50-metre road, while ₹123 crore was deposited for the earlier 84-metre proposal. Despite the funds being deposited, acquisition of 10 properties remains pending. Flyover work progressing slowly Work on the flyover at Katraj Chowk is also progressing slowly. The National Highways authorities are carrying out girder work, which has reached the area near Kapilamrut Dairy. A U-turn has been provided near the dairy to facilitate traffic movement during the ongoing work. However, residents have raised concerns over the absence of a speed breaker at the location. Service road work only partially complete Flyover work is underway near Rajs Chowk through the National Highways and Public Works Department. The flyover ramp is expected to descend near Kapilamrut Dairy. To manage traffic during construction, a U-turn has been arranged near Silver Oak Society in coordination with the traffic police. The service road is being used for traffic movement. The civic administration has said around 70 per cent of the service road work has been completed, while efforts are being made to ensure that existing traffic movement is not disrupted. Traffic wardens questioned The administration plans to divert traffic from Rajs Society Chowk towards the petrol pump over a roughly 600-metre stretch of the newly developed service road in the coming week, in coordination with the police. A road divider has already been installed because of the heavy movement of vehicles on the route. The PMC has said that 50 traffic wardens are deployed daily for traffic management. However, residents claim that wardens are not visible at the junction, particularly during busy periods, raising questions about traffic management arrangements. Residents demand safer pedestrian crossings Pedestrian safety is another major concern on the stretch. Several school buses reportedly drop students along the main road, forcing children to cross the busy carriageway amid heavy traffic. Residents have demanded speed breakers and proper pedestrian-crossing facilities at vulnerable locations to reduce the risk of further accidents. Civic administration promises early land acquisition Omprakash Divte, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation, said the road project had been underway for nearly a decade and that heavy vehicles use the route in large numbers. 'The work on the Katraj-Kondhwa Road has been underway for the last 10 years. Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram had made a special provision for land acquisition for the road. The process has now reached its final stage. Land acquisition for 10 properties remains pending and it will also be completed soon,' Divte said.