150kmph on Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway to be fatal, says Diwakar Raote  

Expressing concerns over the safety of motorists, state transport minister Diwakar Raote has warned that the proposed speed of 150 km per hour can lead to accidents on the Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway, also known as Samruddhi Mahamarg.

The Rs46,000-crore expressway is chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ dream project.

While addressing the concluding day of Road Safety Fortnight at YB Chavan Centre on Tuesday, Raote asked if vehicles were accustomed to plying at 150 kmph and whether the proposed smart and intelligent systems can curb accidents.

At the inauguration of the April 23-May 7 function, Fadnavis had said the expressway would be smart and intelligent to make it accident-free.

“On the highways with a speed limit of 80 kmph, vehicles ply at 100-120 kmph. What will happen on the Mumbai-Nagpur highway designed for 150 kmph, especially when people tend to cover the distance in eigth to nine hours?” questioned the senior Shiv Sena leader. Raote said he had already raised this issue in the last cabinet meeting.

Highlighting that the highest number of people had lost their lives on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on the first day of Road Safety Fortnight, Raote said the expressway had become a death trap.

Appealing to the bikers to use helmets, the transport minister said about 70% of the people who die on roads are two-wheeler riders. According to the minister, vehicles of pilgrims witness more accidents as they generally drive at night, while fewer accidents of marriage parties occur as they travel during daytime.

Raote also said the state government had created a dedicated fund for road safety and Rs20 crore would be given to the Mumbai traffic police for CCTV network, which would help them take action against violators.

He contended that experts needed to study reasons behind accidents in southern and west-central states, including Maharashtra.