Parliament Question: Road safety and congestion on the Mumbai–Pune expressway

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2976 ANSWERED ON - 18/03/2026 ROAD SAFETY AND CONGESTION ON THE MUMBAI–PUNE EXPRESSWAY

2976. DR. MEDHA VISHRAM KULKARNI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether Government has taken cognizance of persistent traffic congestion and accident rates on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway;

(b) the total number of accidents and fatalities reported on this corridor during the last three years;

(c) whether any black spot rectification or capacity augmentation works have been undertaken; and

(d) the timeline for additional safety and traffic management interventions on the route? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) The Mumbai–Pune Expressway has been constructed and is maintained by the State Government of Maharashtra.

The State Government of Maharashtra has informed that they have adopted a comprehensive, multi- pronged strategy combining technology, engineering improvements, emergency response systems, and strict enforcement measures.

The key intervention includes the implementation of the Intelligent Traffic Management System

(ITMS), which has significantly improved compliance and reduced accidents. Advanced AI-based cameras and 40 gantries have been installed along the entire 94 km stretch to monitor traffic in real time. The system detects 17 types of violations, including over-speeding, lane cutting, non-use of seatbelts, and mobile phone usage while driving. Offenders are immediately issued e-challans, which has helped instill greater discipline among drivers.

In parallel, road engineering measures under the ‘Zero Fatality Corridor’ initiative have contributed to a notable decline in fatalities. Over 300 km of crash barriers have been installed, and rumble strips along with tactile edge lines have been introduced to alert fatigued or drowsy drivers. Additionally, accident-prone locations, known as black spots, have been systematically identified and rectified to enhance overall safety.

Further, strict enforcement and awareness initiatives have also been strengthened. Heavy vehicles are mandated to use the two left-most lanes, and violations are penalized rigorously. Counseling centres have been set up to educate drivers and passengers on road safety.(b) As per information received from Transport Department, Government of Maharashtra, total number of Road Accidents and Fatalities reported on Mumbai-Pune Expressway during the year 2023 to 2025 is given in the table below : - Sl. No. Year No. of Road Accidents Fatalities 1 2023 154 65 2 2024 191 90 3 2025* 187 68

(Provisional)

(c) As per information received from Transport Department, Government of Maharashtra, the stretch between Kalamboli and Amrutanjan Bridge in Raigad district has four identified black spots, all of which have been addressed with temporary safety measures. The Missing Link Project, aimed at bypassing the accident-prone Borghat section, is 98% complete. Further, Highway Traffic Management System has been installed to control traffic violations and to control accidents.

(d) All the traffic safety measure works have been completed and are maintained by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Further, quarterly safety Audits have been carried out by the Independent Engineer and the safety works suggested by Independent Engineer are carried out by MSRDC. MSRDC has also entered into Agreement with 'Save Life Foundation' who suggested the implementation of safety measure works to make it a Zero Fatality Corridor.

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