The speed limit for heavy vehicles on the Bhor Ghat section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway may soon be raised from 40 km/h to 50 km/h. The state transport department is seriously considering the proposal, especially after truck and bus drivers called the current limit impractical and unscientific.
The ghat section, which stretches for 10 km from Lonavala (Pune) to Khalapur (Raigad), is considered a challenging part of the expressway. Heavy vehicles find it difficult to maintain a controlled speed due to the steep slope here. Department officials said discussions are on and a decision could be taken soon.
At present, the maximum speed limit for cars on this stretch is 60 km/h, which will remain unchanged, while heavy vehicles have been restricted to 40 km/h. In other parts of the expressway, the limit for small vehicles is 100 km/h and for heavy vehicles, 80 km/h.
The transport industry argues that maintaining such a low speed requires frequent braking, which can lead to brake overheating and failure, leading to accidents. Most vehicles naturally slow down to 45–47 km/h on slopes.
The number of e-challans on heavy vehicles has risen sharply since the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) was implemented. The ITMS cameras also capture speeds between 43 and 50 km/h, and transporters say nearly 30% of challans fall in this range. The first violation attracts a fine of Rs 2,000, which increases with repeat violations.
Given these issues, representatives from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), traffic police, transport department, and transport industry have conducted a joint inspection of the ghat section. An official said a meeting will be called soon to discuss the proposed amendment.
Drivers say the ghats do not have adequate warning signs, leading to sudden braking and accidents. “This is an expressway, but a 40km/h limit on the slopes doesn’t seem safe,” said a bus driver.
The Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai-Pune Expressway, inaugurated in 2002, is a modern six-lane highway, yet accidents continue; there were 191 accidents in 2024 alone, most of them at Bhor Ghat.
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