Latest news with #ZeroFatalityCorridor


Time of India
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Safety upgrade for 15 black spots on NH-48, accidents dip
Pune: As many as 15 high-risk crash locations along Old Mumbai-Pune section of National Highway 48 were transformed under Zero Fatality Corridor (ZFC) initiative as part of pre-monsoon safety intervention. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) officials said that identification and correction of these black spots was expected to drastically reduce accidents along the corridor. Once known for frequent and often fatal crashes, the highway is now being repositioned as a model of evidence-led, multi-agency road safety transformation. "We are not just building roads, we are building safer journeys," said Anilkumar Gaikwad, vice-chairman and managing director, MSRDC. The joint effort was led by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), SaveLIFE Foundation, Maharashtra Highway Police, and Highways Infrastructure Trust, officials told TOI on Tuesday. "This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration, data, and engineering in saving lives on our highways," Gaikwad said. Through data-driven interventions and collaborative implementation of engineering solutions, we are committed to reducing fatalities and making our roads safer for every user," he told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 그랜저 신차장기렌트, 2년 타보고 결정하세요 카테일러 더 알아보기 Undo This initiative reflects our ongoing dedication to building not just better roads but safer ones, he added. The project focused on engineering upgrades at 15 crash-prone locations — from Ladkat Petrol Pump near Somatane Toll Plaza to stretches near Mahanagar Gas — addressing key safety risks such as poor visibility, unsafe intersections, high-speed merging, and pedestrian vulnerability. Key intervention points included Wadgaon Phata, Kamshet Ghat section, Shilatane Phata, and Khalapur junction, among others. These sites were treated with a mix of median gap closures, improved signage, speed-calming measures, and pedestrian safety enhancements, such as designated crossing zones and barricading. In addition to civil works, the project deployed speed detection cameras and automatic violation monitoring system to crack down on reckless driving. Maharashtra Highway Police officials reported noticeable improvements in driver behaviour following installation of enforcement technologies and upgraded signage. "The presence of automated systems has not only deterred overspeeding, but enabled real-time tracking of violations," said an official, adding that enforcement became significantly more efficient. Crucially, the project also prioritised institutionalisation of these interventions through capacity-building and establishment of strong operational partnerships between different govt agencies. This approach not only enabled immediate improvements but also laid the groundwork for sustaining and scaling the ZFC model across other high-fatality corridors in India, stated SaveLIFE Foundation. In the old Mumbai Pune highway section of NH48, there was 67% reduction in fatalities from 269 in 2018 to 88 in 2024. The fatality numbers for 2025 are currently being verified. On the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, there was a reduction in fatalities in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. There were 24 fatalities in 2024 as against 6 in 2025. "Buoyed by these results, MSRDC plans to extend ZFC initiative to other high-fatality corridors across Maharashtra," said officials. "We are establishing a scalable, data-driven blueprint for road safety that can be replicated across India." The Zero Fatality Corridor (ZFC) initiative on the Old Mumbai Pune Highway (NH48), implemented by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and Highway Police Maharashtra and SaveLIFE Foundation in partnership with Highways Infrastructure Trust, has demonstrated remarkable success in enhancing road safety outcomes. Initial comparative analysis of crash data revealed a 51% reduction in road crash fatalities between January and March 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, highlighting the efficacy of SaveLIFE Foundation's evidence-driven interventions.


Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
NGO implements safety measures on 15 high-risk spots on Mumbai-Pune highway
Mumbai: To reduce accident risk and increase safety on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway, SaveLIFE Foundation, in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited (MSRDC), the Maharashtra Highway Police and the Highways Infrastructure Trust, initiated implementation of road safety measures on May 7. The measures are to be implemented at 15 fatality-prone locations along the section of NH-48 (Old Mumbai- Pune Highway). The initiative is part of SaveLIFE's Zero Fatality Corridor project that was started in 2018 for enhancing road engineering and emergency response to tackle the root causes of accidents and fatalities. According to Highway police statistics, Mumbai-Pune highway witnessed 88 fatalities in 2024. A detailed assessment of road conditions was conducted through a combination of field surveys and data analysis by SaveLife Foundation. They identified high-risk or critical locations that pose a threat of road crashes or unsafe traffic behaviour. Following the analysis, targeted road engineering solutions known as safety treatments, were rolled out to tackle the root causes of accidents and crashes. These include better signage, speed-calming measures, improved visibility, safer infrastructure for pedestrians and redesigned junctions aimed at preventing collisions and saving lives. Dr Zafar Khan, executive director and joint CEO of Highways Infrastructure Trust said, 'Maharashtra recorded over 15,000 road crash fatalities last year, the majority of them on highways—a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic interventions.' He further added that as part of our commitment to safer roads for all, Highways Infrastructure Trust has partnered with SaveLIFE Foundation to implement targeted safety measures along a high-risk stretch of the Old Mumbai- Pune Highway. 'Together, we are introducing speed-calming measures, improving pedestrian crossing visibility, and reinforcing lane discipline, with an aim to reduce fatalities on the corridor by 20 to 30 percent over the coming years. We believe that road safety must be engineered by design and are confident that this collaborative model will deliver measurable, replicable impact,' he said. The Highway police also took enforcement measures to improve compliance with traffic laws by preventing violations and encouraging safer road user behaviour. Piyush Tewari, Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, said: 'This initiative demonstrates what is possible when data, engineering, and strong partnerships come together for road safety. We are grateful to the MSRDC, Maharashtra Highway Police and Highways Infrastructure Trust for helping us implement life-saving solutions on one of Maharashtra's busiest highways.'


Deccan Herald
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Deccan Herald
15 high-risk spots made safer on Old Mumbai-Pune Highway
Mumbai: SaveLIFE Foundation in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) Ltd Maharashtra Highway Police, and Highways Infrastructure Trust, has implemented road safety treatments at 15 fatality-prone locations along the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway section of NH-48 to significantly reduce crash initiative, which is part of SaveLIFE's Zero Fatality Corridor programme, prioritised interventions in road engineering, enforcement and emergency response to tackle the root causes of crashes and fatalities. The highway section saw 88 fatalities in part of this initiative, a detailed assessment of road conditions was conducted through a combination of field surveys and data analysis. This helped in identifying high-risk or critical locations that were contributing to road crashes or unsafe traffic the in-depth analysis, targeted road engineering solutions — known as safety treatments — were rolled out to tackle the root causes of crashes. These included better signage, speed-calming measures, improved visibility, safer pedestrian infrastructure, and redesigned junctions aimed at preventing collisions and saving Zafar Khan, Executive Director and Joint CEO, Highways Infrastructure Trust, said: 'Maharashtra recorded over 15,000 road crash fatalities last year, majority of them on highways—a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic interventions. As part of our commitment to safer roads for all, Highways Infrastructure Trust has partnered with SaveLIFE Foundation to implement targeted safety measures along a high-risk stretch of the Old Mumbai- Pune Highway. Together, we are introducing speed-calming measures, improving pedestrian crossing visibility, and reinforcing lane discipline, with an aim to reduce fatalities on the corridor by 20 to 30 percent over the coming years. We believe that road safety must be engineered by design and are confident that this collaborative model will deliver measurable, replicable impact.'Along with the engineering interventions, enforcement measures were also initiated with the help of the state authorities. Enforcement measures were designed to improve compliance with traffic laws by preventing violations and encouraging safer road user Tewari, Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, said: 'This initiative demonstrates what is possible when data, engineering, and strong partnerships come together for road safety. We are grateful to the MSRDC, Maharashtra Highway Police and Highways Infrastructure Trust for helping us implement life-saving solutions on one of Maharashtra's busiest highways.'