AGRA: An
RTI reply has revealed that, way before toll service started on country’s longest expressway, close to 100 people died on
Agra-Lucknow stretch.
Between the period of August 1, 2017 to February 15, 2018, total 688 road accidents were registered by police in which 90 casualties were reported on 302 km long Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
The Agra-Lucknow expressway was inaugurated by former CM
Akhilesh Yadav on December 23, 2016 and the expressway started its toll service from January 19, 2018.
According to
K C Jain, secretary of Agra development foundation, who sought RTI information from
UPEIDA (Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority), said, “The Agra-Lucknow expressway has turned out to be more deadly than
Yamuna Expressway, which reported only 33 casualties in 294 road accidents in its initial six months after inauguration back in 2012, while newly commissioned bitumen stretch between state capital to city Taj has reported 688 accidents.”
He said, “The UPEIDA managed to start toll service between Agra-Lucknow, charging Rs 570 for light vehicles like car, but failed to install precautionary safety measures, such as high speed vehicle registration number plate reader cameras, weather early warning system, and availability of ambulances. The UPEIDA is yet to open public restrooms and other facilities, where the commuters can take break and get their vehicles over-hauled of checked up to continue safe journey.”
On anonymity, a senior official of UPEIDA said, “The construction of restrooms, motels, food court, vehicle garage and other amenities is on pace. After every 100 km, such facility will be opened soon, which will give commuters’ break from their long hour journey.”
It’s important to note, that 196 km long Yamuna expressway is connected to Agra-Lucknow expressway has recorded 626 people death in 4842 road accidents till June 30, 2017.
