The showcase Delhi-Gurgaon expressway has witnessed a sharp rise in number of fatal accidents this year. While the number of those killed last year was 49 on the stretch, this year the number has risen significantly to 64 till October. Even the total number of accidents has witnessed a sharp jump from 92 last year to 149 this year. The worrying trend defeats the very purpose of the 18 km long expressway where motorists have to shell out (toll charges) twice for upward and downward journey, but the roads remain unsafe.
The recent report issued by traffic department confirms the worrying trend that accidents on this stretch have increased by more than 50 per cent in less than a year. Yet the concessionaire of the expressway, Delhi Gurgaon Super Connectivity ltd (DGSCl), has not been overhauling the contraption.
Since the emergence of the expressway, DGSCl had installed an SOS system to help commuters in case of emergency. However, the SOS machinery is in an abysmal state — either not working or been dismantled.
While the concessionaire claims that the SOS systems have been installed along the stretch as per law, the Traffic Police however, say the device is not in working condition. “None of the SOS systems are operational. The traffic department will ask the concessionaire to overhaul them at the earliest,” said Bharti Arora, Joint Commissioner of Traffic, Gurgaon.
According to DGSCl, 11 SOS systems have been installed as per laws of the Road Transport and Highway Ministry. When contacted, the spokesperson of DGSCl said the SOS booths had been repaired several times in the past since locals vandalised them and took away batteries and telephone instruments. “We have been complaining to police and are repairing these booths. However, we hardly receive any calls from the SOS booths as people prefer calling in directly on the toll free number from their cell phone. More than 100 calls are received everyday on the toll free number, which our corridor control teams respond to speedily,” he said.