Mercedes, Maharashtra Launch ZFC on Samruddhi Expressway

21 May 2025 CW Team

The Maharashtra government has joined hands with Mercedes-Benz India and the NGO SaveLIFE Foundation to implement a Zero Fatality Corridor (ZFC) on the 701-kilometre-long Samruddhi Mahamarg, the expressway linking Mumbai and Nagpur.

At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the initiative, calling it a potential national model for road safety. “Over 1 million vehicles use this expressway daily. Given this volume, road safety is essential. Mercedes-Benz India, known for its commitment to automotive safety, has taken on a key role in this mission, which is an encouraging step,” he said.

The ZFC project, which commenced in March 2024, will run until 2026 and aims to drastically reduce fatalities on the expressway by integrating engineering interventions, enforcement, emergency response, and public awareness initiatives.

Engineering upgrades include enhanced signage, speed limit indicators, “go slow” road markings at accident-prone zones, and the deployment of speed detection cameras and Variable Speed Sign Boards (VASS). The expressway has also been fitted with the VIDES system, which identifies safety violations such as not wearing seatbelts or improper lane usage.

Over 70 highway police and enforcement officers have received specialised training under the programme. Regular coordination meetings are being held between key departments — the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), highway police, and the health department — to ensure seamless implementation.

Chief Minister Fadnavis noted that the initiative exemplifies effective multi-agency collaboration, supported by both global expertise and local commitment. “This is not just about one expressway — it’s a model we aim to replicate across Maharashtra,” he added.

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