250 cameras to be installed on Pune-Mumbai expressway to issue instant challans

Pune: Due to the persistent rash driving on expressways that have led to an increase in the number of accidents, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to set up some 250 high-end CCCTV cameras on the Pune-Mumbai expressway. According to the officials, the corporation plans to set up these cameras along the 94 Km stretch expressway to issue instant challans to motorists for various traffic offenses.

The officials told TOI that the corporation's plans to set up the cameras are part of the intelligent traffic management system. The installation of cameras on the expressway would also help to witness the frequent accidents and traffic violations.

MSRDC has collaborated with the road transport ministry for this work. The idea is to sync with the Sarathi portal as it would help in identifying the vehicle owner. Sarathi portal contains all details pertaining to a particular vehicle, including the owner's name and contact number.

An official stated that once a violation is



caught by the camera synched with the Sarathi portal, the challan would immediately and automatically be sent to the owner's mobile number.

He added that if challans are issued immediately, motorists would be more careful. The planned cameras will be of the state of the art quality. "The cameras would catch the offenders and record their vehicle number in all kinds of weather, be it rain or fog," he said.

The official said that the corporation would finalize the tenders soon. The project has been pegged at Rs. 120 crores and it would almost take a year to be in place. For the past two years, the project was shut, but now, the funds would be available in phases.

Between July 5-10, different RTO's undertook a special drive on the expressway after a fatal accident that resulted in the death of three people.

During the drive, the RTO's were able to identify that lane cutting and speeding are the top offenses. Of a total of 760 e-challans during the first week of June, 553 were issued for lane cutting.