Safety on Mumbai-Pune Expressway gets a boost

Safety on Mumbai-Pune Expressway gets a boost

The budget of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) indicates that groundwork for augmenting Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s capacity will not happen this year. But, installation of safety and security systems will not wait for next year. According to the capital expenditure prepared by the corporation for the 2013-14 fiscal, only Rs1 crore has been marked for augmentation proposal. The plan includes widening the Expressway and Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, segregate both highways, extend the expressway towards Pune, construction of two tunnels (one below Bhushi Dam) and building 15-20 flyovers.But, the frequency of accidents is a cause for concern, thus installation of surveillance and safety systems will begin this year. “A sum of Rs40 crore has been kept aside for surveillance project on the expressway,” said an official from MSRDC. Another Rs16.35 crore will be used to install Brifen Rope Wires on the median of the entire 95-km stretch of the road connecting the two cities. On Sunday, two vehicles collided near Kamshet, killing two people and injuring three.Motorists will not have any new roads for at least a year. There are plans to have a theme park and Formula 1 track adjoining the expressway, but it is in the nascent stage. A sum of Rs15 lakh has been allocated for the theme park and and Rs5 crore for developing the racing track. A cricket stadium has already come up at the Pune-end of the road.