Is Limb flyover on Pune-Bengaluru highway a death trap? Death exposes safety gaps
A biker's death on the Limb flyover's approach road has renewed anger over missing reflectors, signage and streetlights on the Pune-Bengaluru highway stretch
The flyover in the limits of Limb village on the Pune-Bengaluru highway has become dangerous for motorists. Drivers have to struggle while negotiating the rising and falling road on the flyover. A recent accident on this stretch killed Prashant Babaso Farande, bringing the issue of safety on this route back into focus and triggering strong resentment among local residents.
Traffic on this highway is very heavy. Even so, motorists find it difficult to judge the exact speed of oncoming vehicles while climbing or descending the flyover. The main reason is that there are no reflectors or direction signboards at this spot at all. Locals have been repeatedly demanding proper arrangements to give timely warning of the road ahead, how steep the climb is and where the descent begins, but no attention has been paid to this so far.
The lapses in the flyover's safety do not end there. Some streetlights on the flyover remain switched off at night, making it even harder for motorists to drive in the dark. Local residents say the area needs regular inspection to keep reflectors, safety signboards and lighting in proper working order.
Separately, since the service road between Limbkhind and the Anewadi toll plaza has deteriorated, many two-wheeler riders have started travelling directly on the highway itself. This causes four-wheelers and two-wheelers to crowd the highway at the same time, further raising the risk of accidents because of fast-moving vehicles. Prashant Babaso Farande was travelling on this stretch on his two-wheeler when a four-wheeler hit him, killing him on the spot. Since this incident, demands for urgent repair of the service road have gained strength.
Toll is collected regularly from motorists at the Anewadi toll plaza, but residents feel that safety and basic facilities on the highway do not get adequate attention in comparison. Residents expect the road safety and traffic department to inspect this route regularly and take immediate measures at dangerous spots. At the same time, motorists are being urged to keep their speed limited on this stretch and prioritise safe travel. Locals fear that until concrete measures are taken on this flyover and the service road, travel on this route will remain dangerous for motorists.
