Proposed Speed Limit Increase for Heavy Vehicles on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Potential Changes to Speed Limits on the Expressway

The speed limit for heavy vehicles on the Bhor Ghat section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway may soon see an increase. According to officials and transporters, there is a proposal to raise the current speed limit of 40 kilometers per hour for trucks and buses on the downhill stretch near Khandala to between 45 and 50 kilometers per hour.

However, the speed limit for cars, which is currently set at 60 kilometers per hour, will remain unchanged over the 10-kilometer stretch of the ghat.

In other sections of the expressway, light vehicles are allowed to travel at 100 kilometers per hour, while heavy vehicles have a limit of 80 kilometers per hour.

Transporters have reported that the existing speed limit on this ghat section, located between Lonavala in Pune district and Khalapur in Raigad district, has led to frequent e-challans. Heavy vehicles struggle to maintain slow speeds on the steep descent, causing traffic delays and accidents.

Since the implementation of the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), the number of traffic violations has increased, with fines for speed-related offenses set at 2,000 rupees.

Recently, a joint survey was conducted by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), highway police, state transport department, and transporters. Harsh Kotak, a leader from the Mumbai Bus Owners Association, highlighted the practical challenges faced by drivers.

He explained that vehicles in special gear can only reach speeds of 7-10 kilometers per hour, while first gear allows for 25-28 kilometers per hour and second gear for 45-47 kilometers per hour. Prolonged use of first gear can cause vehicles to crawl, disrupting traffic.

In second gear, drivers risk exceeding the speed limit or overheating brake drums due to excessive braking. Kotak has urged officials to scientifically determine a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour.

He noted that approximately 30 percent of e-challans issued on this 10-kilometer ghat section are for heavy vehicles, often for speeds between 43 and 50 kilometers per hour.

Vivek Bhimanwar, the Maharashtra Transport Commissioner, confirmed that he has received numerous complaints from transporters regarding the speed limit. He acknowledged the validity of these concerns, stating that maintaining such a low speed on a steep descent is 'practically difficult.' An MSRDC official mentioned that a meeting is expected to be called by the highway police to discuss the potential increase in speed limits.