Thursday’s deadly mishap once again raises the issue of no parking bays for broken down vehicles on Express-way
Pune: The mishap involving a private bus and a truck during the wee hours on Thursday has brought back the chilling memories of the biggest ever accident on the Pune-Mumbai expressway where 27 people had died in a similar mishap.
A speeding tempo had rammed into a mini bus near Khalapur two years ago. Such accidents on expressway has once again stressed the need of parking bays at the expressway where broken down vehicles can be parked.
Various activists and transport experts have been suggesting parking bays at regular intervals on the 93 kilometer of expressway. However, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), has failed in constructing even a single bay at the expressway.
Fulora foundation, which has been working for a safer expressway, has also submitted a proposal to the MSRDC for constructing parking bays.
Tanmay Pendse of Fulora foundation said, “There is no provision of parking bays on the expressway for broken down vehicles hence these vehicles occupy one of the lanes of expressway which is extremely dangerous. The parking bays will be useful for not only broken down vehicles but for those drivers who feel dizzy due to continuous driving as they can halt their vehicles at the bay and take some break without causing problem to other vehicles.”
Not just the NGOs but even the highway police have planned and sent several reminders to MSRDC for the installation of rumbler strips at various spots on on e-way, which can alert the driver to slow down the speed of the vehicle.
Rashmi Karindkar, superintendent of police (Highways) said, “We have sent a letter to MSRDC regarding the construction of parking bays on expressway, as there are only two food malls where the drivers can halt and take rest.”
When contacted, MSRDC chief engineer, Arun Deodhar said, “We have identified a few locations where we will be constructing parking bays. As of now we have rolled out the tender. Once the parking bays is constructed it can be used for vehicles.”
The rumbler strips commonly known as white strips are installed at regular intervals on the highways and whenever vehicle passes from these strips, the vehicle vibrates and driver gets cautious and he can refocus on driving. However, such strips are missing at some spots. Karndikar said, “Since the rumbler strips helps to slow down the speed of the vehicle we have sent several letters to the MSRDC.”
Deodhar said, “There are rumbler strips that have been installed at the exit point of e-way near Pune. Moreover, we have rolled out tender for the same. As soon as we get a company which is ready to construct the same we will be making the rumbler strips.”
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