Netas suggest drone monitoring to curtail mishaps on the stretch, but experts feel money should be invested in highway monitoring system
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway has long been a death hazard with increasing incidents of speeding drivers and motorists ending up as road kill. During the monsoon session last week, minister of state for home Deepak Kesarkar along with other ministers like opposition leader Ajit Pawar, and transport experts met to discuss highway security, including the possible use of drones to monitor the roads. However, most experts rejected the idea and insisted that the government should instead focus on implementing the intelligent highway monitoring system.
Expressway accidents have multiplied over the years
Experts’ view
Pune-based independent researcher, Tanmay Pendse, who has conducted studies on the accidents on the Expressway was also at the meeting. “In the meeting, the idea of using drones to monitor Expressway violations was put forth by one of the ministers. There was a positive response from many people, but using drones is not a good idea as it has many limitations. The best-in-quality drones that are used for highway surveillance cost more than Rs 20 lakh each so rather than wasting a huge sum on that, the focus should be on implementing the intelligent highway monitoring system, which is a foolproof method,” he said.
Tanmay Pendse
“The drones that are used in countries abroad are not only costly, but also have limitations” said a transport expert, on condition of anonymity, adding, “The government officials looking at the option should understand that given the low visibility levels on the ghat section, drones will be of no use. Also, the drones have a limited battery life and the monitoring distance is also limited, making it of no use at all.”
mid-day attempted to contact MSRDC vice-chairman and managing director R Mopalwar, but he remained unavailable for comment.
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