PUNE, Dec 25: The killer stretch between Government Poultry Farm to Khadki railway station on the Pune-Mumbai highway claimed another victim recently when autorickshaw driver Prakash Gosavi died instantaneously when a State Transport bus collided head-on with the vehicle. Incidentally the Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) has issued work orders for widening and asphalting the road which is now stuck for a formal sanction from the National Highway authorities.Significantly, a majority of the traffic lights from the poultry farm chowk to All Saints High School have not been functional for several years imposing a greater risk of accidents on this stretch of the national highway. KCB authorities point out that Rs 73 lakh proposal for the widening of this road was still pending with the Southern Command Headquarters.Former councillor with the Pune Municipal Corporation had time and again protested against the apathetic attitude of the KCB even blaming them for the frequent mishaps that occured at this accident prone spot. Around 27 accidents had occurred at the particular spot during the past one year, Kazi said pointing out that this stretch had also claimed the life of Lt Paras S Chadda from 119 Engineer Regiment as he was knocked down by a speeding PMT bus.The road requires to be widened by ten feet on either side and according to Kazi work orders for asphalting the road had also been issued. KCB authorities pointed out that the work was pending as the KCB was awaiting the National Highway Authorities green signal to widen the road.
