04 July,2011 06:25 AM IST | | Kaumudi Gurjar
Highway police say heavy vehicles should be checked for brakes, tyre pressure before Expressway entry
For a second consecutive day the Pune-Mumbai Expressway witnessed a traffic jam at the crucial Amrutanjan Point near Lonavla, after a container carrying chemicals fell on its side. A major tragedy was averted as another truck driver suffered brake failure. The truck hit the roadside railings; the Borghat police said it could have been a major catastrophe had the truck hit the tanker carrying explosive chemicals that was in the middle of the road.
Not again! The accident on the Expressway at Amrutanjan Point
The traffic snarl-up that it caused. Pics/Vishal Suresh
4 hrs to clear road
Both incidents took place early in the morning, leading to a major traffic jam on the Mumbai lane for nearly four hours. Till June this year, nearly 18 fatal accidents have taken place at the same spot, leaving 30 people dead and 23 injured. The spot comes under the jurisdiction of the Borghat outpost, the responsibility of which extends from the Amrutanjan point to Khalapur toll naka on the Expressway and from Shil Phata to Amrutanjan Point on National Highway No. 4.
The Borghat police say most of the accidents at the spot involve heavy vehicles. The reasons for most of the accidents are brake failure and tyre burst. "If heavy vehicles are checked for brakes and air pressure in tyres before they are allowed to ply on the Expressway, the number of accidents and casualties will reduce," said Sub-Inspector L V Bhosale of the Borghat outpost on the Expressway.
Bhosale said yesterday's accident took place after the tyre of container carrying explosive chemicals burst in Borghat near Khandala and the container fell down hitting the road divider, partially blocking the Mumbai lane at the 47 km point. Another truck driver coming from behind hit the roadside railing after its brakes failed.
The traffic flow was eased after two IRB cranes were called in to clear the road.
