Pune collector sets 20-day deadline for highway exit & lane discipline SOPs

Pune: Collector Jitendra Dudi has set a 20-day deadline for multiple agencies to prepare a comprehensive action plan to enforce lane discipline on highways passing through the district, following the recent propylene-laden tanker accident on Pune-Mumbai expressway and the subsequent traffic jam.The plan is expected to include stricter checks, improved coordination and clear role allocation among the highway police, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He also instructed the highway police, public works department (PWD), NHAI and MSRDC to prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) at exit points of major highways, particularly where multiple highways intersect, in a review meeting on Friday.
"The focus is on Pune-Mumbai, Pune-Satara, Pune-Solapur, Pune-Ahmednagar and Pune-Nashik highways, where the daily traffic is heavy and road rule violations are frequent. The emphasis is on preventive measures rather than reactive action after accidents. Lane discipline and scientifically designed exits are critical in reducing fatalities," Dudi told TOI.Officials said the SOPs would standardise exit design and traffic movement across highways in the district, helping motorists anticipate exits well in advance and reduce last-minute risky manoeuvres.Dudi directed officials to create separate control rooms to monitor lane discipline on highways, and another set of dedicated rooms to track feeds from AI-based camera systems installed along key stretches. "It is essential to have this system in place to prevent any accidents in the future," Dudi said.The collector told authorities to ensure signages, especially boards marking "no overtake" zones at accident-prone locations, sharp curves and exit ramps. Inadequate or poorly visible signage is often flagged as a reason during accident reviews.Dudi underlined the need for a better on-ground personnel deployment and real-time monitoring, particularly during peak traffic hours and at junctions where state highways connect with national highways. Directions were issued to the highway police to intensify checks against reckless driving, overtaking and sudden braking near exits.