Heavy traffic expected on Pune-Mumbai Expressway, old highway; police urge use of public transport

PUNE: Traffic police have requested people to use public transport as much as possible with heavy vehicular rush being expected on both Pune-Mumbai expressway and the old highway this weekend through Tuesday.

The district administration has already ordered the diversion of heavy and large vehicles from the old highway to alternative routes from Thursday to prevent congestion during Shri Ekvira Devi Navratri festival. Highway police have also increased patrolling on the expressway to ensure that heavy vehicles do not occupy the first two lanes.

The order issued by the collector on Tuesday under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, prohibits entry of heavy and large vehicles round the clock on the stretch between Karla Phata and the foothill temple of Shri Ekvira Devi until Oct 20.

It further says that from Oct 15 to 19, heavy and large vehicles will not be allowed on the old Mumbai-Pune highway between Kusgaon Budruk toll plaza in Lonavla and Vadgaon Phata in Vadgaon Maval, from 6 am to 10 pm. Vehicle operators have been advised to use Mumbai-Pune expressway via Urse toll plaza as an alternative route.