Mumbai-Pune Expressway to get mishap location-tracking system

The state government plans to install a system that will tell the exact location of accidents on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, apart from trying to add one more lane to the high-speed carriageway that has turned into a death trap for many. It will also ensure quicker commission of the under-construction missing link to ease traffic on the ghat.

The assurance came from Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the discussion on the increasing number of accidents on highways. The discussion on Monday was prompted by a calling attention motion raised by the opposition members on the fatal accident that killed the former MLC Vinayak Mete on August 14 on the E-way.

Citing preliminary investigations, Fadnavis blamed the accident on the driver's attempt to overtake the ex-legislator's car through a gap between two vehicles that were ahead. "It wasn't possible to get through such a small gap. Yet the driver tried it and the car hit the heavy vehicle from behind, and the blow was received on the side Mete was sitting on," he said.

Also read: What caused Vinayak Mete's car crash on the Expressway?

The government said in the Assembly that Mete and his driver were taken to the hospital 45 minutes after the mishap

According to the written reply, Mete and his driver Eknath Kadam were shifted to the hospital 45 minutes after the accident took place. Personal police officer Ram Dhobale could be evacuated 30 minutes after the two others were taken out. The delay happened because the police needed time to find the exact location of the accident.

Mete was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The driver escaped with minor injuries and the policeman is still hospitalised. The truck involved in the accident has been seized and its driver arrested, said Fadnavis.

Stressing the need for a location-tracking system, the deputy CM said it can help the police, rescue and medical teams reach mishap spots faster. Replying to the opposition leader Ajit Pawar's demand, he also assured that the possibility of adding one more lane to the 6-lane E-way would be explored. Pawar demanded that two lanes each be kept for light vehicles and heavy vehicles.

Fadnavis added that the under-construction 10.55-km missing link between Khalapur Toll Plaza and Khopoli exit would be commissioned as early as possible. "The missing link will ease traffic [in the Bhor Ghat]," he said.

Sources said that about 50 per cent of the work on the link having two tunnels has been completed. After delayed work during the pandemic, the deadline for opening it for traffic has been extended from March 2023 to March 2024.