Contractor IRB asked to up routine patrolling, bring about changes to improve response time in accident cases
Contractor IRB asked to up routine patrolling, bring about changes to improve response time in accident cases
AS fatal accidents on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway keep piling up, independent consultant STUP Ltd has directed the project contractor, Ideal Road Builders (IRB), to increase routine patrolling and bring about changes in the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
New, improved safety measures: Directions to improve regular
patrolling procedures have been given by independent consultant STUP
at a meeting last month. The meeting had officials of the highway traffic
police, the IRB and the MSRDC in attendance. File pic
ADVERTISEMENT
Projects in offing
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has also invited global tenders for conducting feasibility studies for several other projects. An Automatic Accident Alert System, which will alert the agencies concerned during a mishap, and a new alignment on the ghat section from Khopoli to Lonavla, where the Expressway and the old highway merge, is being studied. MSRDC Executive Engineer A P Abrol said that a meeting with the agencies concerned, including the highway traffic police, the IRB and the MSRDC, was held last month and directions were given by STUP to improve the regular patrolling procedures.u00a0"When an emergency call is received after a vehicle passes a stretch, they (rescue team) obviously cannot turn the wrong way and the next available crossing is miles away. This is when another team on bikes leaves from the nearest spot. But minimising reaction time is important and hence the directives," Abrol said.
Making complaints
Badges will also be provided to IRB rescue men and motorists can note down the details on these in case they want to register a complaint. "If they provide the details of the identity cards to the emergency call centre, the personnel can be immediately traced and action initiated," Abrol said.The IRB has a dedicated team to attend to contingencies. Called Delta Force, it has 60 people working in three shifts. There are five four-wheelers and 10 two-wheelers patrolling the entire 97-km stretch of the Expressway. An IRB official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the IRB already had the least possible reaction time of 14 minutes and, in any case, commuters could always complain to authorities even if they did not have the batch details.
"We have always ensured speedy assistance after every call and have a strict SOP. If an accident or a breakdown victim asks for a crane to be delivered, the request is accepted," the official said.While the Expressway is being made safer, Abrol said people should also complain to the MSRDC in case they do not receive speedy assistance from the IRB. He said this was not happening. "A written complaint or an e-mail suffices for us to take action in case the authorities are genuinely at fault. Motorists should remember the date and time of the call made to the centre. We have a monthly report of all operations and this can be used to address complaints," Abrol said.
2 IRB men among 4 injured in accident
FOUR people, including two IRB personnel, were injured when a speeding car rammed into a stalled Maruti Alto near the Khalapur Toll Naka around 8 pm on Sunday. The IRB personnel were attending to the breakdown call when the incident occurred on the Mumbai-bound lane. One of the injured, Tejas Ravindra Dalvi (27), who works with IRB has been admitted to Lifeline Hospital in Panvel, Navi Mumbai. Omkar (18), the brother of Tejas, said the latter was first admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Mission Hospital in Kalamboli near Panvel, but had to be shifted to Lifeline because of unavailability of ICU beds. "He now seems to be out of danger and we are waiting for the MRI scan report. Omkar said there were other IRB personnel also on the spot at the time of the mishap. "They immediately informed the authorities and were taken to the hospital within half-an-hour," he said.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
