Mumbai-Pune Expressway Safety Efforts Reduce Fatalities by 65%

13 Dec 2023 CW Team

Fatalities on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway spiked in 2021 and 2022, prompting a joint effort by the government and an NGO to implement various safety measures. This collaborative initiative, including speed-calming measures, loudspeaker announcements, and improved signage, is expected to lead to a 65% reduction in deaths, according to the NGO SaveLIFE Foundation.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari highlighted these safety efforts in his report on 'Road Safety Good Practices'. The report, prepared by the World Bank Group and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, dedicates a chapter to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the interventions implemented to reduce fatalities.

Statistics revealed a decline in deaths from 151 in 2016 to 72 in 2020, followed by a concerning rise to 91 in 2022. Experts identified speeding, dangerous driving, and overtaking from the left as major contributors to crashes and fatalities.

Truck brake failure was another significant factor, primarily on the Pune-Mumbai carriageway's ghat section. SaveLIFE Foundation CEO Piyush Tewari explained that drivers often use neutral gear on a downhill slope, leading to brake failure and tragic accidents.

To address this issue, several measures were implemented:

Forcing trucks to accelerate, decelerate, and change gears on the slope.
Collaborating with truck manufacturers to develop devices that warn drivers about the dangers of neutral gear driving.
Installing loudspeakers at strategic locations to discourage neutral gear driving in the ghat section.
Additional safety initiatives on the Expressway include:

Installation of 300 km of crash barriers.
200 km of tactile edge lines to combat driver fatigue.
Four active speed traps.
Six sets of rumble strips.
Implementation of no-parking zones.
The report also notes the success of similar interventions on the Mumbai-Pune highway, resulting in a 61% reduction in deaths from 2018-2021. This underscores the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to road safety encompassing engineering, enforcement, emergency care, and education.

Fatalities on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway spiked in 2021 and 2022, prompting a joint effort by the government and an NGO to implement various safety measures. This collaborative initiative, including speed-calming measures, loudspeaker announcements, and improved signage, is expected to lead to a 65% reduction in deaths, according to the NGO SaveLIFE Foundation.Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari highlighted these safety efforts in his report on 'Road Safety Good Practices'. The report, prepared by the World Bank Group and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, dedicates a chapter to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the interventions implemented to reduce fatalities.Statistics revealed a decline in deaths from 151 in 2016 to 72 in 2020, followed by a concerning rise to 91 in 2022. Experts identified speeding, dangerous driving, and overtaking from the left as major contributors to crashes and fatalities.Truck brake failure was another significant factor, primarily on the Pune-Mumbai carriageway's ghat section. SaveLIFE Foundation CEO Piyush Tewari explained that drivers often use neutral gear on a downhill slope, leading to brake failure and tragic accidents.To address this issue, several measures were implemented:Forcing trucks to accelerate, decelerate, and change gears on the slope.Collaborating with truck manufacturers to develop devices that warn drivers about the dangers of neutral gear driving.Installing loudspeakers at strategic locations to discourage neutral gear driving in the ghat section.Additional safety initiatives on the Expressway include:Installation of 300 km of crash barriers.200 km of tactile edge lines to combat driver fatigue.Four active speed traps.Six sets of rumble strips.Implementation of no-parking zones.The report also notes the success of similar interventions on the Mumbai-Pune highway, resulting in a 61% reduction in deaths from 2018-2021. This underscores the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to road safety encompassing engineering, enforcement, emergency care, and education.

Infrastructure Transport

11 May 2026

Shivraj Chouhan Launches PMGSY IV and Announces Package for Madhya Pradesh

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) IV at Bhairunda in Sehore district during the 25 year celebrations and announced a development package for Madhya Pradesh. The programme was organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and attended by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, ministers of state, state ministers, legislators and senior officials from the centre and the state. The minister said the central government under the Prime Minister is committed to strengthening rural livelihoods through improved connectivity, housing and women's in..

Infrastructure Urban

11 May 2026

DMR Engineering Reports FY 25-26 Financial Results

DMR Engineering reported its half year results for the financial year ended 31 March 2026 and published full year figures on a standalone basis. Standalone revenue from operations decreased by 2.01 per cent year-over-year to Rs 102.58 million (mn), while profit after tax declined by 43.94 per cent to nine point five six mn, leaving a profit after tax margin of nine point zero five per cent. Earnings per share stood at Rs zero point nine two, a fall of 44.71 per cent year-over-year. The company attributed part of the decline to one-off provisioning for bad debts and additional financing charges..

Infrastructure Urban

11 May 2026

Atlanta Electricals Posts Strong FY26 Growth And Debt Free Finish

Atlanta Electricals reported audited consolidated results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026. The company recorded significant year-on-year revenue growth driven by capacity ramp-up at new facilities and higher utilisation at legacy plants. The announcement summarised operating improvements and strategic milestones achieved during the year. For Q4 the company reported revenue of Rs 7.48 bn and for FY26 revenue of Rs 18.52 bn, representing robust growth versus the prior year. EBITDA in Q4 was Rs. 1.49 bn and Rs. 3.44 bn for the full year, with margins expanding to 20 per cent in the q..