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

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.