Mumbai-Pune Missing Link: 621 Heavy Vehicles Fined INR 7 Lakh in three months

Despite a ban on heavy vehicles using the newly opened Missing Link on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, as many as 621 heavy vehicles were found violating the restriction over a three-month period, authorities said. Fines amounting to more than INR 7 lakh have been collected from the violators.

The issue has come under renewed scrutiny following a fatal accident on the Missing Link earlier this month. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has now decided to strengthen enforcement of the heavy-vehicle ban and increase monitoring along the route.

The Missing Link was introduced to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by bypassing the congested ghat section. However, heavy goods vehicles have been temporarily prohibited from using the route as authorities assess traffic patterns and safety conditions.

According to officials, enforcement teams have been monitoring vehicles entering the restricted section and taking action against those violating the rules. The latest figures indicate that the existing restrictions have not been sufficient to prevent heavy vehicles from entering the stretch.

The issue gained urgency after a fatal crash on the Missing Link on August 7. A speeding Toyota Fortuner collided with an Eicher tempo inside the tunnel, killing Pune resident Tushar Bhumkar. The accident raised fresh concerns about traffic management and safety on the newly operational route.

Following the incident, authorities are planning stricter surveillance, increased police deployment and better coordination between the traffic and transport departments to ensure that restricted vehicles do not enter the Missing Link.

The authorities are also expected to intensify action against vehicles that violate the ban, with the objective of improving road safety and preventing further accidents on the strategically important Mumbai-Pune corridor.

The Missing Link, developed by MSRDC, was designed to cut the Mumbai-Pune journey by around 30 minutes and reduce dependence on the old ghat section. Heavy goods vehicles were initially kept off the route on a temporary basis, with their future access to be decided after assessing traffic and safety conditions.

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