30 October,2023 12:37 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondent
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After the recent accidents on the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway, the state government authority has decided to install rumble strips every 5 km on the operational stretch. Further, sculptures will be erected along the carriageway to keep motorists alert, an official said.
As many as 3,500 accidents have been reported on the Samruddhi Expressway since its launch in December 2022, as per the data provided by the official from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited (MSRDC).
"Of the 701-km long expressway, the stretch between Nagpur to Bharvir (582 km) is operational, and nearly 49 lakh vehicles have travelled on it till September since the launch," the MSRDC official said.
"Rumble strips will be installed every 5 km. At present, the strips are at a distance of around 10 km. We are also planning to install cameras to monitor the speed of vehicles at regular intervals," the official said, clarifying that the project is in the planning phase.
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"The MSRDC also plans to place sculptures along the carriageway to break the monotony, and the roadside will be made more colourful with some paintings," he said.
Ambadas Danve, leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council, recently claimed that the top permissible speed for four-wheelers on Samruddhi Expressway is being brought down to 100 km/h from 120 km/h.
Danve said that if the top speed on this expressway is brought down, why people would people use it, and the project will be a loss.
Meanwhile, this year, in order to reduce accidents on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway (Samruddhi Mahamarg) stretch, the MSRDC official has initiated various safety measures. Colourful flags were installed on the median to prevent road hypnosis, and median crash barriers are being installed. The MSRDC also incorporated precautionary signages, reflective tapes, solar blinkers, and public announcement systems at toll plazas to enhance safety awareness.
(with inputs from PTI)
