The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India’s first access-controlled expressway inaugurated in 2002, has recently seen the implementation of new speed limits for vehicles. The expressway, also known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway, was constructed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
According to a report by Pune Mirror, the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) for Maharashtra, Sukhwinder Singh, issued a notice regarding the revised speed limits. These limits, determined by a team of experts following a comprehensive survey, vary between the flat stretches and the 94-kilometer ghat section of the expressway.
The updated speed limits for different vehicle categories are as follows:
- M-1 category vehicles (up to 8 passengers including the driver): 100 km/h on flat areas and 60 km/h in ghat sections.
- M-2 and M-3 category vehicles (more than 9 passengers): 80 km/h on flat areas and 40 km/h in ghat sections.
- Goods vehicles (N category): 80 km/h on flat areas and 40 km/h in ghat sections.
To enforce these speed limits, speed cameras will be installed along the expressway. Lata Phad, Superintendent of State Highway Police in Pune division, explained that the decision was made after an intensive survey conducted jointly by various authorities, including the State Highway officials, local police, MSRDC, and IRB Infra Development.
The survey, conducted over a period of 15 days, highlighted the potential risks associated with vehicles traveling at low speeds, emphasizing the need for updated speed regulations. The decision to revise the speed limits aims to enhance safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
