The newly opened Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, a 246 km stretch from Sohna in Gurgaon to Dausa in Rajasthan, has brought a quicker commute between Delhi and Jaipur, reducing travel time to two-and-a-half hours for the 28,000 vehicles that use it daily. However, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) faces significant challenges, especially along the 30 km stretch crossing Nuh.
As per a TOI report, this 8-lane expressway allows speeds of up to 120kmph, but issues in Nuh have posed serious concerns. Over the past few weeks, two fatal accidents have occurred here, resulting in three casualties. The NHAI has even reached out to Haryana Police for assistance in enforcing traffic rules on this route.
One major issue is the rampant theft of highway lights, blinkers, and markers by locals in the area, causing inconvenience to commuters and financial losses to the NHAI. Despite the minimal value of these stolen items, they are essential for road safety.
Illegal dhabas (eateries) cropping up along the expressway have become another hazard. These dhabas not only violate regulations but also pose an accident risk as pedestrians often attempt to cross the busy road to reach them.
Truck drivers, many of whom use this route, contribute to the chaos by parking on the side of the road and sometimes even driving on the wrong side. The suspicion is that some of these drivers are involved in illegal mining in the Aravalis and use these stops to evade checks.
Sudhir Mishra, a Gurgaon resident who frequently travels to Jaipur, shared his harrowing experience, stating, “I was driving above 100kmph when suddenly a group of four people started walking on the expressway from the central verge between the carriageways. I had to hit the brakes and, luckily, there was no vehicle behind my car, otherwise, I would have mwith a fatal accident.”
NHAI project director Mukesh Kumar Meena emphasized that the expressway has designated resting areas every 30-50km with all necessary amenities, and dhabas are not permitted. Despite this, locals have resisted NHAI’s efforts to close down illegal eateries and enforce the rules.
In response to these challenges, NHAI has requested the intervention of the Haryana government and police chiefs of Gurgaon, Palwal, and Nuh to deploy their teams on the expressway to ensure traffic compliance.
Recent accidents on the expressway have raised concerns about safety. On August 22, a Rolls-Royce crashed into the back of a fuel tanker, resulting in fatalities. Two weeks later, on September 5, a Mercedes collided with a milk tanker, leading to another tragic loss of life.
To enhance safety and surveillance, the Sohna-Dausa stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which will eventually connect India’s two largest metropolises, has CCTV cameras installed every kilometer. NHAI is also developing an advanced traffic management system and a control room in Alipur to monitor a 78km stretch of the expressway in Haryana.
Source : ET
