Pune-Bengaluru Bypass Heavy Vehicle Ban: Your Complete Commute Guide
Proposal to ban heavy vehicles on Katraj-Dehu Road bypass to alleviate traffic during peak hours
In a decisive move to tackle chronic traffic issues, a heavy vehicle ban has been officially announced for a key section of the Pune-Bengaluru Highway. Effective from October 15, 2025, this time-bound restriction targets the Katraj–Kivale Bypass and is expected to drastically improve the daily commute for thousands.
What is the New Heavy Vehicle Ban?
The Pune City Traffic Police, in coordination with the District Collector’s Office, has imposed a ban on heavy and oversized vehicles that use the bypass as a through-corridor without entering Pune city limits. This includes multi-axle trucks, trailers, containers, dumpers, tractors, and other slow-moving machinery. The primary goal is to reduce congestion and prevent accidents on this vital stretch.
Ban Timings and Specific Routes
The heavy vehicle ban is enforced during peak morning and evening hours to safeguard commuter flow. The specific restrictions are:
- Morning Ban (8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.):Â Heavy vehicles are prohibited from traveling from Katraj towards Kivale on NH-48.
- Evening Ban (5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.): Heavy vehicles are prohibited from traveling from Kivale towards Katraj on NH-48 and adjacent parts of the Old Pune–Mumbai Highway (NH-4).
Which Vehicles Are Exempt from the Ban?
Not all large vehicles are affected. Essential service vehicles have been granted exemptions. This includes trucks and carriers transporting:
- Fuel
- Milk
- Agricultural produce
- Emergency supplies
Vehicles that are entering Pune city limits for deliveries or other purposes are also exempt from this heavy vehicle ban.
Why Was This Ban Implemented?
The decision stems from the immense vehicular pressure on the Katraj–Kivale bypass. This corridor is a lifeline for commuters traveling to the Hinjawadi IT park and surrounding industrial areas from central Pune, Kothrud, Baner, and Pashan. The influx of inter-district heavy vehicles during peak hours had led to severe congestion, long delays, and an increased risk of accidents. This ban is a direct response to public safety and convenience concerns.
Traffic Diversions and Enforcement
Authorities have outlined clear diversion points. Heavy vehicles from Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur heading towards Bengaluru will be halted at the Shindewadi Toll Naka during restricted hours. Similarly, vehicles from Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad will be stopped at Urse Toll Naka or Vadgaon Phata.
Information boards are being installed along the highway, and police will guide halted vehicles to designated parking areas like dhabas and petrol pumps to prevent localized congestion. Violators of the heavy vehicle ban will face penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
