Pune: The Pune-Satara Highway is one of the busiest highways in the country. The Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) will soon be installed on this highway. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has submitted a proposal in this regard to the government. The project will be conducted by the State Transport Department. The system will help curb accidents on the highway.
Currently, the system is being implemented on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. It will become fully operational in a couple of months. The NHAI has now decided to deploy the system on the busy national highways across the country. The Pune-Satara Highway is one of them. The Pune to Satara stretch will be brought under the system in the first stage. Later, it will be extended further.
The seven black spots
There are seven black spots on the Pune-Satara Highway. They include the Dargah Phata near Khed Shivapur, Cheladi, Sarola Bridge, Shindewadi, Pandharpur Phata, Paper Mill and Khandala, where accidents happen frequently. The ITMS will help in reducing accidents at these black spots. A survey will soon be conducted jointly by the State Transport Department, NHAI and the Highway Police.
Around 50,000 vehicles ply on the highway
Around 50,000 vehicles use the Pune-Bangalore Highway. The number goes up on weekends. Traffic going from Mumbai to Bangalore mostly includes heavy vehicles. This causes major accidents at the Navale Bridge and the New Katraj Tunnel. Around 60-65 accidents take place daily between Pune and Satara.
The need for sticking to the lane
*According to the NHAI, the left lane, number one, of the highway is for heavy vehicles, for which the speed limit is 80 kmph
*The next lane, number two, is for light motor vehicles or cars, for which the speed limit is 100 kmph
*The right hand-side lane, number three, is for overtaking vehicles. One has to travel in the designated lane after overtaking a vehicle. One cannot travel for long in this lane
We have received the ITMS proposal for the Pune-Satara Highway from the NHAI. A survey will be conducted. Once it is approved, the tender process will be completed and the work will start.
– Vivek Bhimnawar, Transport Commissioner, Mumbai
What is ITMS?
The ITMS means Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS). This will facilitate traffic monitoring through a satellite. Drones are also used in it. Every vehicle entering the highway will be recorded. The vehicle is monitored till it completes the journey on the highway. If the vehicle meets with an accident, help is immediately provided. CCTV cameras are installed along the highway. Vehicles cutting the lane can be detected.
Why the system is so vital
The ITMS helps to curb accidents. The advanced system helps in maintaining traffic discipline, averting accidents, providing timely help to accident victims, quick toll collection and accurate and transparent operations on the highway.
A network of CCTV cameras is installed along the highway. It becomes easy to monitor vehicle movement. Accidents are reduced with the help of Average Speed Detection System and Lane Discipline Violation Detection System.
