Smooth Start: Heavy Vehicle Ban on Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass Eases Pune Traffic on Day One

Pune Traffic Eases After Heavy Vehicle Ban
The first day of the heavy vehicle ban on the Katraj-Dehu Road bypass brought much-needed relief to Pune commuters. The traffic movement remained smooth, and no major jams were reported on Wednesday morning.
Strict Implementation Across Key Points
Under the new schedule, heavy vehicles are restricted from travelling towards Mumbai from Satara between 8 am and 11 am, and towards Satara from Mumbai between 5 pm and 9 pm. The restriction was strictly implemented at key locations such as Navale Bridge, Mutha River Bridge, Warje Bridge, Hinjewadi, and Tathawade, which are known for frequent congestion.
Police teams from multiple jurisdictions and the State Highway Safety Patrol were deployed along the bypass to ensure compliance. Trucks and multi-axle vehicles were redirected to designated parking areas in Satara district, Khed-Shivapur, and the New Katraj Ghat section, while those heading towards Satara were stopped at Urse, Somatne, and nearby locations on both the expressway and the old highway.
Noticeable Improvement in Travel Time
The ban resulted in faster travel times for passenger vehicles and smaller cars. The drive from Katraj to Kiwale, which typically takes over an hour due to congestion, was completed in about 20 minutes on the first day. Apart from a brief disruption caused by a truck breakdown near Warje Bridge in the evening, traffic moved smoothly through the day.
Relief for Daily Commuters
The decision to impose time-based restrictions on heavy vehicles was introduced to reduce congestion during peak hours, particularly benefiting commuters working in the Hinjewadi IT Park. The bypass is part of the busy Mumbai–Bengaluru highway and often experiences long queues during rush hours.
Many commuters appreciated the move, saying it helped reduce travel time significantly and made their daily journeys less stressful. Authorities plan to monitor the situation closely to assess the long-term impact of the ban.