Beware! E-way speedsters under lens

To curb the number of accidents caused by speeding on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the state is planning to set up an automated surveillance system along the stretch.

The cameras in this WiFi- and radar-based Rs10 crore system will photograph the number plates of vehicles that breach the 80km speed limit, generate a challan at a control room and ensure the motorist is fined at the exit point or toll nakas.

Minister for public works (public undertakings), Jaydutt Kshirsagar told the state assembly on Wednesday that from January 2006 to December 2012, the police have registered 3,488 accidents on the expressway. While 854 people have died, 1,532 serious and 556 minor injuries have been reported.

Around 75-80% accidents occur due to human errors like speeding and violation of rules and the rest due to technical and other reasons.

Kshirsagar said while they had four speed guns and 10 breathalysers, the former can be used only in the day and at a particular angle. He added that the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will now procure mobile speed guns. Also, a world-class surveillance system developed by the Centre’s science and technology park will be installed.

The system, likely to take six months to complete once the work order is issued, may be installed from toll nakas at the Mumbai end to the ones at Pune end or on the entire stretch.

“The state and the MSRDC have decided to conduct a road safety audit on the expressway every year,” said Kshirsagar, adding that a committee had identified five ‘black spots’ on which the remedial measures had been taken. The highway police have fined 2,01,579 motorists for traffic violations in three and a half years.

@dhavalkulkarni