14 July,2016 02:42 PM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
The motorists using the Mumbai Pune Expressway are facing difficulties while driving at night not only because of poor visibility during monsoon, but even due to absence of cat eye reflectors that are installed on the road to guide the lanes
The motorists using the Mumbai Pune Expressway are facing difficulties while driving at night not only because of poor visibility during monsoon, but even due to absence of cat eye reflectors that are installed on the road to guide the lanes. Motorists and transport experts feel that installation of reflectors should be taken on priority to avoid any accident.
Independent Researcher Tanmay Pendse who has done the survey of the Mumbai Pune Expressway and have pointed out the measures that needs to be taken to make the expressway more safe for the motorists said, "The government is taking steps to make expressway a zero fatality corridor but the implementation of the same would require some time as it's a huge project. Reflectors need to be installed on priority."
The major portion of the 95 km long expressway between Panvel and Pune passes via the stretch which is surrounded by hills and also the area receives moderate to continuous rainfall during monsoon with addition to the fog which makes the visibility poor. Sometimes during heavy rainfall the visibility between Khopoli and Lonavala becomes very poor making driving difficult on this stretch even for those who have additional fog lights facilities in their vehicle.
"Had there been reflectors, it would make drivers easy to understand the lane in which they are driving," the expert added.
An official from MSRDC who did not wished to be named said, "There are reflectors at some place, but not on entire highway stretch. We have plans to cover entire highway with the reflectors," the official added.
It should be noted that on June 21, MSRDC had sent a notice to the contractor that collects the toll on the expressway. In its notice MSRDC stated that company responsible for maintenance of the highway should install these reflectors as it is part of the contract (which includes repairing of potholes , installation of warning signs at accident prone locations , lane markings) etc.
Jiitendra Gupta, too echoed that installation of reflectors is a must. Gupta - a transport expert said, "More than 40, 000 vehicles use the expressway. The speed limit on highway is 80kmph. But, most of them drive at a speed much higher than mentioned by the authorities. Hence, the chances of accidents increase. Installation of reflectors may not guarantee lesser accidents, but certainly will be helpful on the expressway."
