In a significant development for road safety in Maharashtra, the number of ‘black spots’ — areas with frequent road accidents — on highways under the Pune division has been reduced by almost 50%, bringing the count down from 170 to just 84, according to a recent survey by the Highway State Patrol (HSP).
This outcome follows months of coordinated efforts between state agencies, local governing bodies, traffic engineers, and community organisations. The project focused on identifying accident-prone areas and implementing targeted interventions, including road widening, enhanced lighting, proper signage, and intensified patrolling.
“This success is not just about infrastructure. It reflects a larger shift towards a culture of road safety,” said Vikrant Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police, HSP Pune Division. “We’ve worked closely with municipal corporations, traffic experts, and the public to ensure these high-risk zones are addressed proactively.”
What Changed on the Ground?
The improvements span multiple critical corridors — including the Pune-Solapur, Ahilya Nagar, Nashik, old Pune-Mumbai, and Pune-Satara highways — all of which have historically seen high numbers of traffic accidents and fatalities.
Some key safety upgrades include:
-
Widening narrow stretches
-
Installing reflective and visible signage
-
Improved street lighting at accident-prone curves and junctions
-
Increased surveillance and patrol frequency by HSP officers
These changes are aligned with the state’s broader public welfare goals, especially reducing road fatalities, enhancing emergency responsiveness, and ensuring safer transit for both private and commercial transport users.
Public Response: Hope and Gratitude
Local commuters have already started noticing the difference. Prakash Shinde, a daily traveller from Yavat on the Pune-Solapur Highway, shared:
“The roads definitely feel safer now. There are better signs and lighting where accidents used to happen. It’s reassuring to see the government investing in our safety.”
Why This Matters
For Pune and surrounding districts, which have been grappling with a steady rise in highway accidents, this development marks a crucial turning point. Not only does it show that policy-backed infrastructure changes can save lives, but it also highlights how citizen feedback and inter-agency coordination can bring lasting improvements to public systems.
As Pune division continues to grow as a commercial and transit hub, prioritizing road safety isn’t just a local issue — it’s an economic and governance imperative.
