“The concerns raised are valid as it is difficult for heavy vehicles to maintain such low speeds on the sharp downward slope,” State Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told PTI Tuesday. (Express Photo)Authorities have said they are considering raising the speed limit for trucks and buses from 40 kmph to around 50 kmph on the Bhor Ghat section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway between Khalapur and Lonavala after repeated complaints from transporters.Last month, officials of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), highway police, transport department, and industry representatives carried out a detailed survey of the Bhor Ghat section, following complaints by the drivers on the “unscientific” speed restriction.“The concerns raised are valid as it is difficult for heavy vehicles to maintain such low speeds on the sharp downward slope,” State Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told PTI Tuesday.“MSRDC is the agency responsible for decisions regarding the ghat section, while the highway police will finalise the speed limit. Our department has already written multiple letters to the highway police,” Bhimanwar added.The highway police are expected to convene a meeting soon to finalise the decisionHundreds of truck drivers navigating the 10-kilometre section have complained about the risk of maintaining the speed limit of 40 kmph.“When you’re going downhill on such a steep slope, our truck naturally goes faster,” said Santosh Bhosale, chairman of Pune District Transport Association, who has been plying on the route for 30 years.Story continues below this ad“If we keep applying brakes to stay below 40 kmph, the brakes overheat, and there are chances of failure. Moreover, the power is lost, which is essential for the following climb. The issue will be solved once the speed limit is increased,” Bhosale added.He said an increased speed limit for the Bhor Ghat section to around 45-50 kmph would account for the driver’s convenience and safety.Also Read | Convoy of 19 vehicles ferrying 160 illegal Bangladeshi migrants to Pune for deportation hit a pile up, 19 cops among 31 injuredWith the installation and monitoring of speed cameras, the situation has worsened as nearly one-third of all speed violation tickets issued to heavy vehicles fall in the 43-50 kmph range, just marginally above the current limit.“The fine is Rs 2,000 for the first offence, and it keeps increasing. For a small truck owner, this can mean the difference between profit and loss on a trip. While cars zip past at 60 kmph on the same stretch, trucks struggle to maintain a low speed,” said Bhosale.Story continues below this adThe speed limit in the remaining stretch of the 95-kilometre expressway is set at 100 kmph for cars and 80 kmph for heavy vehicles.The Mumbai-Pune Expressway was inaugurated in 2002. Despite being a six-lane expressway, 191 accidents were reported in the Mumbai-Pune corridor in 2024 alone, with a significant number in the Bhor Ghat section.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd