Nashik: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has started implementation of the intelligent traffic management system (ITMS) project using state-of-the-art technology on the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The project, which entails a cost of Rs 1,700 crore, assumes significance as there have been many accidents on this expressway since it was inaugurated in Dec 2022.
At present, barring the final stretch of 76 km from Igatpuri in Nashik district to Amne in Thane district, the remaining 625 km is operational. The MSRDC has completed the construction of the final phase of the expressway, and the state govt is expected to soon open it for vehicles.
According to the data provided by MSRDC, more than 176 fatal accidents, in which 278 people lost their lives, have taken place on this expressway. This apart, there have been several minor accidents in which commuters were injured.
The state govt, in Oct 2023, had given its in-principle approval for the project. The MSRDC then invited bids for the project implementation. In March 2024, state govt made fund allocation after giving its administrative approval.
MSRDC officials said the consortium of two private firms that bagged the project has started the initial work to lay the underground optical fibre and electrical cables along the expressway. So far, cable ducts of 500 km length have been installed. The consortium has to complete the project within 21 months.
The state road development corporation has also appointed a Japan-based engineering firm and its subsidiary in India as supervision consultant for the project.
The project will allow authorities to detect 17 kinds of traffic violations on the expressway, including speeding, talking on mobile, illegal parking and lane cutting, and immediately act on such violations to prevent accidents.
“These centres will operate 24×7 to monitor the movement of vehicles and traffic violations and coordinate with each other in case of emergencies. These 10 centres will be connected by optic fibre cables,” said an MSRDC official.
To constantly monitor the movement of vehicles, traffic monitoring cameras with day-time and night-time viewing capability would be established after every kilometre in the entire thoroughfare.
“There will be tracking of emergency vehicles and their dispatch to accident spots, drone surveillance system, setting up of emergency call booths after every 2 km and mobile radio communication system to ensure that the accident victims are taken to hospitals in the shortest possible time,” said an MSRDC official.
