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Heavy vehicles descending the Bhor Ghat stretch of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway may soon be allowed to travel faster, as the state transport authorities are actively considering a proposal to increase the speed limit from the current 40 kmph to 45–50 kmph.

This move comes amid rising complaints from transporters and drivers who call the current restriction "unscientific" and “unrealistic.” The 10-km ghat section — between Lonavala in Pune district and Khalapur in Raigad district — forms a key part of the Pune-Mumbai arm of the expressway and features a steep downhill gradient that poses operational challenges for heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.

An official confirmed that deliberations are underway. “We are reviewing the proposal to revise the speed limit for heavy vehicles on the ghat section. A decision is likely to be taken soon,” the official said.

While the speed limit for cars on this stretch stands at 60 kmph — and is unlikely to change — heavy vehicles are currently restricted to 40 kmph. On the rest of the 95-km expressway, which is India’s first access-controlled highway, speed limits are set at 100 kmph for smaller vehicles and 80 kmph for heavy vehicles.

Transporters argue that the steep gradient makes it difficult to maintain such low speeds without extensive use of brakes, leading to overheating and potential brake failure. This, they say, increases the risk of accidents and leads to traffic bottlenecks. In practical terms, they argue that most heavy vehicles shift to second gear on the descent, which naturally takes them to speeds of around 45–47 kmph.

“The limit of 40 kmph makes no sense. It results in unnecessary fines and mechanical strain,” said a member of bus drivers and owners association.  “Vehicles in special gear move at just 7-10 kmph. In first gear, it’s 25-28 kmph, and second gear takes them to 45-47 kmph. Drivers are either forced to crawl or overshoot the limit — both of which are risky.”

The number of e-challans issued to heavy vehicles has surged following the introduction of the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) on the expressway. ITMS includes speed-detection cameras and monitoring systems, and transporters claim that nearly 30% of the e-challans are issued for speeds between 43 and 50 kmph — just slightly over the current limit. The fine for a first offense is Rs 2,000, and it increases for repeat violations.

In response to repeated representations by transporter groups, teams from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), highway police, transport department, and representatives from the trucking and bus industry conducted a joint survey of the ghat section last month.

A senior transport department official acknowledged that the concerns raised were valid. “Maintaining 40 kmph on such a slope is practically difficult. We have written several letters to the highway police asking them to consider a revision,” the official said. While the MSRDC oversees the infrastructure, the highway police are responsible for determining speed limits.

Speed Limit For Heavy Vehicles On Bhor Ghat Section Of Mumbai–Pune Expressway Likely To Be Increased

An MSRDC official confirmed that the highway police are expected to convene a meeting shortly to discuss the proposed upward revision.

Drivers and transporters have also raised concerns about the lack of adequate warning signage on the ghat, which forces sudden braking and contributes to accidents. “This is supposed to be an expressway, but you’re expected to go at 40 kmph on a steep slope. It’s counterintuitive and unsafe,” said another bus operator.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, named after former Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan, was inaugurated in 2002. Despite being a modern six-lane expressway, it continues to witness accidents — 191 in 2024 alone, according to official data — many of them occurring in the ghat section.

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