Flaws found in steps to tackle crashes on expressway

TNN | Updated: Sep 7, 2019, 11:35 IST

During the inspection, officials also found that six CCTV cameras, nine video incident detection systems, 15 automatic number plate reading speed cameras, 164 emergency call boxes, one crane and three nitrogen gas filling stations were not functional.

During the inspection, officials also found that six CCTV cameras, nine video incident detection systems, 15 a...Read More

NOIDA: A team from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) inspected changes made by Jaypee Infratech to ensure safety of travellers on the 165km Yamuna Expressway and asked the concessionaire to install crash barriers at the earliest.
On July 8, a speeding bus had fallen into a drain from one such point near Agra, killing 29 people and injuring at least 25 others. Following the accident, YEIDA had asked Jaypee Infratech to submit an action plan regarding road safety measures that could reduce the chances of accidents. YEIDA officials said the concessionaire had agreed to put in place five road safety measures within a month.
“We checked the entire stretch from Greater Noida Zero Point to Agra and found some shortcomings. The crash barriers are only installed from Zero Point up to 38km and at some places towards Agra. The entire stretch needs to be covered on a priority. We have asked the concessionaire to install cat eyes within 15 days,” said Arunvir Singh, CEO of YEIDA.
Ajit Kumar of Jaypee Infratech said, “Crash barriers are being installed and the entire work will be completed by this month.”
During the inspection, officials also found that six CCTV cameras, nine video incident detection systems, 15 automatic number plate reading speed cameras, 164 emergency call boxes, one crane and three nitrogen gas filling stations were not functional. The team told the concessionaire to fix them at the earliest and install remaining rumble strips wherever required.

The officials also asked Jaypee to install three beam crash barriers on a pilot basis along a 500 metre stretch. As per a report prepared by IIT earlier, these are higher and safer for high speed stretches.
The IIT report says that crash barriers have to be initially installed near the entry and exit points, ramps, interchange loops, toll plazas and the expressway linear sections. The YEIDA CEO has also asked officials to make changes in the challan software to integrate time booths so that speeding vehicles can be penalised.