Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Speed Limit Hike Considered for Bhor Ghat Section

The Maharashtra state transport department is contemplating increasing the speed limit for heavy vehicles on the Bhor Ghat section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Currently set at 40 km/h, the limit may be raised to 50 km/h, a proposal driven by concerns from truck and bus drivers who deem the existing limit impractical and potentially unsafe. The ghat section, known for its challenging terrain, spans 10 km from Lonavala to Khalapur. Officials are actively discussing the matter, and a decision is expected soon. While cars maintain a 60 km/h limit, the disparity in speed limits between different vehicle types and the rest of the expressway is a point of contention. The transport industry highlights the risk of brake overheating and failures due to frequent braking at the current low speed. The Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) has also led to a rise in e-challans for heavy vehicles, with many citing the current speed restrictions as problematic. Joint inspections involving various stakeholders have been conducted to assess the situation, and further discussions are planned. Drivers express concerns about inadequate warning signs in the ghat section, which they believe contribute to sudden braking and accidents. The Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai-Pune Expressway, inaugurated in 2002, has seen a high number of accidents, with Bhor Ghat being a major area of concern.