Vision Zero initiative launched in Pune

PUNE: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation,

Volkswagen Group

and SaveLIFE Foundation, on Friday, launched the

Vision Zero initiative

along the

Old Pune-Mumbai Highway

with an aim to bring down road crash fatalities and make the highway safer for all road users. A similar initiative called

Zero Fatality Corridor

is being run by the

SaveLIFE Foundation

along the Pune - Mumbai Expressway.


While the initiative was announced by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as a part of the Mahaparivartan Programme in February this year, the initiative was officially launched on Friday. According to authorities, focus of Zero Vision is to reduce road crash fatalities through data driver and evidence based interventions. The initiative addresses road engineering interventions, improved post crash emergency care, better police enforcement and community engagement among others.

Public works department (Public Undertaking) minister for government of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde said, "Safety of people on the road is a priority for us. I want to make Maharashtra a model for other states to follow with best case practices in road safety. Road crash deaths are preventable and I am very hopeful about the Vision Zero initiative that aims to bring down deaths on NH 48 to near zero."

Vice chairman and MD, MSRDC, RL Mopalwar said that road safety needs to be integrated into execution of infrastructure projects right from planning stage. "We are sure that through the Vision Zero approach, we cna protect many more road users, especially those who are vulnerable," he stated.

CEO of SaveLife Foundation, Piyush Tewari said, "Road safety is an issue that required strong political will combined with deep inter-agency cooperation. SaveLIFE Foundation will ensure that evidence-based interventions are carried out and measured in terms of lives saved."