MSRDC to place fake boulders along Samruddhi Expressway to break highway hypnosis

As accidents on the Nagpur-Mumbai stretch of the Samruddhi Mahamarg continue to grab the headlines, the authorities have started placing huge artificial boulders and tall fake flowers on the stretch to prevent highway hypnosis.

A Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) official said, "We have initiated the placement of colourful artificial boulders and flowers along the median of the Samruddhi Expressway between Vaijapur and Sindkhed Raja to mitigate highway hypnosis and enhance motorists' attention."

Apart from these measures, more reflectors have been installed and rumbler strips have been placed at several spots on the expressway, officially known as the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, to prevent highway hypnosis.

Gigantic artificial boulders are stacked up on the Samruddhi Mahamarg for the benefit of motorists

From July 2023, in a bid to reduce mishaps, the MSRDC started installing crash barriers and rumblers every 25 kilometres. Reflective tapes, solar blinkers, precautionary signage and standing boards have also been set up.

The MSRDC also makes public announcement systems at all toll plazas to urge drivers to exercise caution. All these efforts are being taken as it has come to light that most accidents occur due to human error, overspeeding, rash driving, lane cutting, loss of control, bad tyres and overtaking from the wrong side.

A total of 1,285 accidents have taken place on the expressway from the time it was inaugurated in December 2022 till date. The number of deaths that occurred in the same period is 125.

125
No. of deaths on the Mahamarg since inauguration in Dec 2022

1,285
No. of mishaps on road since its inauguration