After several accidents were reported on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has stepped up measures. Along with the Regional Transport Office (RTO), the MSRDC has started conducting a fitness check of the tyres of vehicles.
The highway, also known as Samruddhi Mahamarg, has a speed limit of 120 km per hour.
The RTO is set to soon start issuing challans if vehicles and tyres are not in a good condition. Sanjay Yadav, Joint Managing Director, MSRDC, said, “The patrolling staffers are deployed for intensive checks along the highway. If any vehicle’s tyres are found in poor condition, they will be issued a challan.” The RTO is yet to decide on the penalty. There are over 100 plus patrolling personnel along the highway. Ninety per cent of recent accidents have taken place due to drivers’ mistakes, including overspeeding, among others. The condition of the vehicles has been also linked to mishaps.
No single accident has taken place due to the expressway’s structural fault, Yadav underlined. Save Life Foundation, an NGO, did a survey and found that the Samruddhi Mahamarg “is one of the best quality highways constructed as per international standards,” he said. The RTO has also appealed to people to fill nitrogen in tyres to reduce the chances of accidents. “MSRDC has asked fuel stations to have nitrogen air filling centres,” Yadav added. On the expressway, towing vans and mechanics are also available to deal with emergencies apart from having 21 quick response vehicles.
Yadav said they have been conducting several activities, in association with RTO and state highway police, to spread awareness.
“We have a WhatsApp group and mobile app where everyday photographs are being shared of activities carried out. We have provided a place to the RTO and highway police where the drivers are counselled,” he highlighted. More than 30 activities are being conducted in a day.
On December 11, the Samruddhi Mahamarg from Nagpur to Shirdi was partially opened after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There are a total of 23 toll plazas between Nagpur and Shirdi on the 520 km stretch. The remaining 181 km stretch from Shirdi to Mumbai will be completed by July.


Sweety Adimulam... read more

source