Reality check on Yamuna e-way hits a dead end
The 165 km long Yamuna Expressway connecting the historic cities of Delhi and Agra has turned into a deadly stretch for want of a safety apparatus. Eight accidents, 14 deaths and over 50 injuries caused on the stretch in less than a month is testimony to this. The reasons are multiple — from overspeeding, poor visibility due to fog being the primary to lack of enforcement and safety measures by the private operator.
A reality check by The Pioneer on a foggy Saturday night found all claims of adequate safety measures by the Jaypee Group and Gautam Buddh Nagar administration falling flat. Neither police personnel nor the private operator was visible any where on the stretch on the way from Delhi to Agra. Antifog lamps on the expressway, patrolling vehicles to be deployed by the operator, police vans and escort vehicles were missing. All these claims were made by the Jaypee Group to facilitate smooth and safe drive on the Yamuna Expressway. It comes as no surprise then that the accidents on the stretch became alarmingly frequent this season.
As per records, six major accidents had taken place during winter this year out of which five were the result of zero visibility due to dense fog.
As one drives through the high-speed corridor, particularly during night hours, ill-preparedness on the part of the authorities is noticeable.
As The Pioneer team entered the Yamuna Expressway through the toll plaza, a patrolling vehicle was found stationed there but another patrolling unit could not be traced for the next three-hour ride on the expressway that included nearly a 100 km drive on both sides. There was no mechanism to check speeding during night hours. What was more appalling, the authorities had blocked the exit ramps with concrete slabs thus, increasing the prospect of accidents.
When The Pioneer team reached the zero point around 11 pm, no policeman, Jaypee patrolling team or traffic guide were at hand to provide assistance to commuters.
Hiralal Gupta, District Magistrate (DM) of Gautam Buddh Nagar, said the Jaypee Group and Gautam Buddh Nagar police must take appropriate measures to provide safety and guidance to
road users. “Since these two authorities are responsible for safe driving on the expressway, they must take appropriate steps in this regard,” said Gupta. The DM also said he would look into the issue and soon changes will be reflected.