Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation starts work to set up intelligent traffic management system on Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg

Nashik: Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has started the implementation of the intelligent traffic management system (ITMS) using state-of-the-art technology on Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The project, which entails a cost of Rs 1,700 crore, assumes significance as there have been many accidents on this expressway since it was inaugurated in Dec 2022.
At present, barring the final stretch of 76 km — from Igatpuri in Nashik district to Amne in Thane district — the remaining 625 km is operational. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has completed the construction of the final phase of the expressway, and state govt is expected to soon open it for vehicles.
According to the data provided by MSRDC, more than 176 fatal accidents, in which 278 people lost their lives, have taken place on this expressway. This apart, there have been several minor accidents in which commuters were injured.
State govt, in Oct 2023, had given its in-principle approval for the project. MSRDC then invited bids for the project implementation. In March 2024, state govt made fund allocation after giving its administrative approval.
MSRDC officials said the consortium of two private firms that bagged the project has started the initial work to lay the underground optical fibre and electrical cables along the expressway. So far, cable ducts of 500km length have been installed. The consortium has to complete the project within 21 months.
The state road development corporation has also appointed a Japan-based engineering firm and its subsidiary in India as supervision consultant for the project.
The project will allow the authorities to detect 17 kinds of traffic violations on the expressway including overspeeding, talking on mobile, illegal parking, lane cutting etc. and immediately act on such violations to prevent accidents.
As part of the project, there will be 10 traffic management centres. The main integrated centre will be at Amne in Thane district on the Mumbai side of the expressway, and seven other regional traffic management centres along the entire thoroughfare. There will also be two tunnel traffic management centres for smooth movement of vehicles through the tunnels.
"These centres will operate 24X7 to monitor the movement of vehicles and traffic violations and coordinate with each other in case of emergencies. These 10 centres will be connected by optic fibre cables," said MSRDC officials.
To constantly monitor the movement of vehicles, traffic monitoring cameras with day and night-time viewing capability would be established after every kilometre in the entire thoroughfare.
"There will be tracking of emergency vehicles and their dispatch to accident spots, drone surveillance system, setting up of emergency call booths after every 2km and mobile radio communication system to ensure that the accident victims are taken to hospitals in the shortest possible time," said MSRDC authorities.
The project will have gadgets like automatic vehicle registration number plate readers, speed enforcement raiders and cameras to ensure lane enforcement and overload and oversize vehicle detection.
"There will be use of RFID technology based on closed tolling system to improve efficiency in toll collection management and prevent leakage in toll revenue.
Under the project the drivers will be provided with real-time information on traffic, weather, road conditions by means of variable message signs.
HIGH-TECH SYSTEM FOR HIGH-SPEED CORRIDOR
As many as 176 major accidents and 278 deaths on the Samruddhi Mahamarg, since its first section was inaugurated in late 2022, flagged the need for a robust traffic management and accident assistance system on Maharashtra's premier highspeed corridor
Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has now started work on a Rs 1,700-crore intelligent traffic management system (ITMS) on the the 701km Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg
ITMS is expected to curb accidents by enforcing traffic rules, and render timely assistance to accident victims on the Samruddhi
It will also help in efficient collection of toll with minimum human intervention at the 74 toll plazas on Samruddhi.
The project will allow detection of 17 kinds of traffic violations on the expressway
To constantly monitor the movement of vehicles, traffic monitoring cameras with day and night-time viewing capability would be set up after every kilometre
The project will utilise automatic vehicle registration number plate readers, speed enforcement raiders and cameras
There will be use of RFID technology based on closed tolling system to improve efficiency in toll collection management and prevent leakage in toll revenue
Drivers will be provided with real-time information on traffic, weather, road conditions
HIGHLIGHT
Common traffic rule violations that ITMS will catch
* Speeding
* Talking on mobile while driving
* Illegal parking
* Lane cutting
Traffic Management Centres
The Samruddhi will have 10 traffic management centres. They will operate round the clock to monitor traffic movement and coordinate with each other in case of emergencies. The 10 centres will be connected by optic fibre cables
* The main integrated centre will be at Amne in Thane on the Mumbai side of Samruddhi
* Seven other regional traffic management centres will be positioned along the expressway
* Two traffic management centres will be inside tunnels