Against the backdrop of increasing number of accidents on the Eastern Freeway, the authorities have planned a slew of precautionary measures including putting up of cattle traps.
After a joint visit by Mumbai Traffic Police, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai officers on August 11, it was decided that Automatic Number Plate Registration (ANPR) as well as Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, rumblers, cattle traps, blinkers, variable message signboards, etc would be put on the latest elevated road in the city.
A cattle trap is a simple barbed wire which would ensure that cattle do not stray on the road. Also, metallic pipes or iron roads with gaps in between can be laid on the road to stop movement of the cattle. Similarly, Automatic Number Plate Registration, also known as Matrix Sign, is an electronic (LED) signboard warning motorists of over speeding, urging them to wear seat belts and informing them about the traffic movement ahead. The ANPR camera uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates so that it becomes easy to catch hold of those flouting traffic rules.
According to a senior Mumbai Traffic Police officer, a fatal accident occurred in the last week of August as cattle were crossing the Freeway at Bhakti Park, Wadala section. This accident led to a law and order problem as well. "People should stick to speed limit. Motorists are always over speeding which leads to major accidents. A couple of days ago there was an accident involving a family. Air bags in the vehicle saved others but one person was killed," said Anil Sardal, senior police inspector of Sewri Police Station.
According to Sardal the slight curve on the Sewri leg of the Eastern Freeway, over speeding and wet roads lead to more mishaps. The Freeway is 16.4-km from south Mumbai's Orange Gate to Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road in the eastern suburbs.Ever since its inauguration on June 13 last year, there have been several accidents on the Eastern Freeway. Two-wheelers have been banned from plying on the elevated road.
Earlier, a similar problem was encountered on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway also. After the Expressway was opened to public, several accidents occurred due to straying cattle. The MSRDC later laid barbed wire fencing as well as constructed boundary wall to keep cattle at bay.
Locations for ANPR cameras
Between Sewri Railway Station and BPCL Complex
Between Panjarpol and Indian Oil Junction
Location for CCTV cameras
P D'Mello Road, entrance of Eastern Freeway
Orange Gate, exit of Eastern Freeway
Reay Road exit
Cotton Green Crossing (Fatak)
Wadala Mumbai Port Trust Colony Crossing (Fatak)
Mahul-MbPT exit
Bhakti Park exit, merging point of monorail
Near Panjarpol Junction
Measures on Freeway
Cattle Trap
Red and Yellow Blinkers
Rumblers
Variable Message Signboards
Yellow Line Marking
ANPR Cameras
CCTV Cameras
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