Despite Cameras and Speed Limits, Mumbai-Pune Expressway Sees 335 Deaths in Recent Years
Despite Cameras and Speed Limits, Mumbai-Pune Expressway Sees 335 Deaths in Recent Years( File Image)
Once hailed as a symbol of modern infrastructure, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is now under scrutiny for a more tragic reason — the alarming number of fatalities. What was built to offer speed and convenience between two major cities has increasingly become a high-speed death corridor.
A Toll in More Ways Than One
The expressway has generated crores in toll revenue and helped spur regional development. But over the past few years, it has claimed more than 335 lives, raising serious concerns about road safety and driver behavior on this vital stretch.
Speeding and Rule Violations Rampant
Despite being equipped with hundreds of surveillance cameras and an electronic monitoring system, enforcement has done little to deter speeding. Vehicles frequently exceed the official speed limits:
- Light vehicles: 100 km/h
- Heavy vehicles: 80 km/h
In reality, many push their speed well beyond safe limits, often leading to deadly consequences.
Major Causes of Accidents
Most accidents on the expressway stem from avoidable causes:
- Disregard for lane discipline, especially by heavy vehicles
- Sudden tire bursts leading to rollovers
- Drivers dozing off behind the wheel
- Reckless overtaking and lane-cutting behavior
Although there are designated lanes for heavy vehicles, many flout these rules, using faster lanes and endangering smaller vehicles.
Six-Month Snapshot: 100 Accidents, Dozens Dead
In just six months, the expressway saw 100 accidents, with:
- 30 deaths
- 62 serious injuries
- 53 minor injuries
While the total number of accidents may have dipped slightly, the severity has not. Serious crashes remain a frequent occurrence.
A Pattern of Neglect and Speed Over Safety
Year after year, the numbers tell a grim story. Whether it’s the rush to complete the 90-km stretch faster or the neglect of safety protocols, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has become perilous for thousands of commuters who travel it daily.
Each speeding vehicle isn’t just chasing time — it’s carrying the weight of potential tragedy.
