Mumbai-Pune Expressway Will See New Speed Limits.
(Image: Wikipedia)
The 94-kilometer stretch of the expressway, which includes both the flat and ghat parts, will be subject to the new speed limits.
The first access-controlled expressway in India, between Mumbai and Pune, opened in 2002.
Mumbai-Pune Expressway, commonly known as Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway, was built by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
According to the Pune Mirror, new speed limits have been implemented for vehicles on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway. Additional director general of police (Traffic), Maharashtra, Sukhwinder Singh, recently issued a notice in this regard.
A team of experts conducted a survey that resulted in the vehicle speed limits. The limits will differ on the Ghat stretch and the rest of the 94-kilometre fast lane.
As per the latest updates, the speed limit for cars in the M-1 category has been increased to 100 km/h (kmph) in flat areas and 60 km/h in ghat areas. The speed limit for passenger vehicles carrying nine or more passengers, including the driver (M-2 and M-3 category vehicles), has been set at 80 km/h in flat areas and 40 km/h in ghat areas. The speed restriction for goods vehicles (all N categories) has been set at 80 km/h in flat areas and 40 km/h in ghat areas.
Moreover, the speed cameras will monitor the cars’ movements. The speed of cars in the ghats is often relatively low and light vehicle drivers experience difficulty suddenly reducing their speed, resulting in alterations, according to the notice.
Below are the speed limits for cars on the expressway:
- M-1 category vehicle in which total passengers are up to 8 people including the driver: 100 km/per hour (Flat road speed) and 60 km/per hour Ghat section speed.
- M-2 and M-3 category vehicles in which more than 9 passengers travel: 80 km/per hour (Flat road speed) and 40 km/per hour (Ghat section speed)
- Vehicle carrying goods (Vehicles falling in the N category): 80 km/per hour (Flat road speed) and 40 km/per hour (Ghat section speed).
“The decision follows the survey directed by our top officials and conducted by the State Highway officials including Pune division, Raigad zone, Panvel and local police on the expressway limit, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and IRB Infra Development,” Lata Phad, Superintendent of State Highway Police, Pune division, said as quoted by Pune Mirror.
“Based on this survey, we had a joint meeting on April 15 in which a decision was taken. Speed cameras will be capturing the movement of vehicles,” Phad added.
The survey was conducted intensively for 15 days, and it was reportedly discussed that even low speeds of vehicles can cause accidents. Based on the numerous findings and professional talks, such a decision has been made.
