[dreamz_mak]

Originally Posted by vivek95

Of late, I have been seeing these newly placed "Restriction ends" sign boards on Mumbai--Pune Expressway on certain straight stretches. Can anyone please tell me what does that actually indicate ?

Basically it means that you are not restricted to any of the road signs. So if you've been seeing a speed limit sign of 80 KM/h and then you see the 'Restriction ends' sign it means you are no longer bound to that 80 KM/h speed limit and can speed up till you see another speed limit sign.

[ghodlur]

During my recent drives on the Mumbai Pune expressway have been seeing the concrete road getting rough at a few spots. The concrete layering has gone literally bad as there has been no re-layering done. I fail to understand why there is no check on the same and is the contractor paid just to collect tolls? recently there was a news that the toll collection would be extended for another 26 years. By that time the E-way will have to be built as new unless some remedial measures aren't taken immediately.

[SR-71]

Originally Posted by dreamz_mak

Basically it means that you are not restricted to any of the road signs. So if you've been seeing a speed limit sign of 80 KM/h and then you see the 'Restriction ends' sign it means you are no longer bound to that 80 KM/h speed limit and can speed up till you see another speed limit sign.

It does not mean you can speed to kingdom come. There is a concept of maximum speed limit for various road types. Unfortunately with traffic being a state subject in India there is no national limitation per say. In 2018, MORTH had prescribed the maximum permissible limit for different categories of road. So the no restriction sign board simply means the previous restriction which was below the prescribed limits are not valid anymore, however the maximum permissible limit - subject to state limitations if any - is still is in play as far as I understand.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by SR-71

There is a concept of maximum speed limit for various road types. In 2018, MORTH had prescribed the maximum permissible limit for different categories of road. So the no restriction sign board simply means the previous restriction which was below the prescribed limits are not valid anymore, however the maximum permissible limit - subject to state limitations if any - is still is in play as far as I understand.

Absolutely correct: See https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/62828085.cms

For example in BLR city limits, LMV speed limits are 50 km/hr unless specified otherwise to be more or less. On the Bellary Road leading to BLR airport, the limit is 80 km/hr. Only once you leave BLR city limits and pass one of the 'restrictions lifted' signs, can you go upto 100 km/hr unless again local speed limits are in force.

[mayuresh]

https://indianexpress.com/article/ci...ystem-5932461/

Mumbai-Pune expressway: First road set to be governed by AI-based traffic system

At its core, the system will detect and punish traffic offences without manual intervention...

the system will comprise a series of radar-based sensors and cameras to capture speed and lane-cutting violations...

Artificial Intelligence-enabled cameras will be linked to the e-challan system to automatically generate fines once traffic offences are detected.

Looks interesting. Hope they get the implementation right.

[moralfibre]

The tunnel between Khopoli and Sinhagad institutes to bypass the entire ghat section is set to become a reality:

News Link

Expected to reduce the distance from 19km to 13km. The tunnel at 24 meters in width will be the widest in the world. A cable stayed bridge will also be added to complete the bypass of twin hill station towns of Lonavala and Khandala.

[Who_are_you]

Expressway speed limit brought back to 80 kmph from 120 kmph

Two months ago, the speed limit on Pune-Mumbai Expressway was revised to 120 kmph, bringing in much applause from regular commuters. However, this excitement could be termed short-lived since Highway Police are retracting the limit to the previous 80 kmph mark.
The decision to increase the speed had followed the Union ministry of road, transport and highways' diktat, which said that people were allowed to speed up to120 kmph on the highways and expressways. This was also implemented on 95-km expressway, which the Highway Police patrol regularly. Over 60 days, it observed the glitches in implementation - specifically pointing at the terrain which they deem is unsuitable to drive at a high speed.
Highway Police superintendent Vijay Patil of the Mumbai division told Mirror, "A final announcement will be made next week. However, we have decided to bring down the speed back to 80 kmph. The 120 kmph limit is not suitable for the hilly terrain that connects Pune and Mumbai."
Patil added that he is in a position to make the decision and does not require permission from the authorities. However, they will inform the ministry of road, transport and highways after he meets with his team next week.
Several non-governmental organisations working towards road safety agree as well. They have time and again said that increasing the speed limit on the expressway was a bad decision, since this invariably increased the risk of accidents.
Ranjit Gadgil, project director at Parisar, said, "The decision of increasing the speed itself was arbitrary and a lot of thought should've been put, considering the road design and the traffic congestion. However, the new decision is certainly welcome. It is extremely essential that the speed is maintained at 80 kmph and even lower at some spots."
SaveLife Foundation, an NGO which has been working towards better road safety had conducted a survey revolving the risks on the expressway. After a detailed study, the report concluded that speeding has a significant risk factor with 65 per cent of four-wheeler drivers admitting they breached the limit.
The survey also found that 42.3 per cent of all commuters, including drivers, and front and rear seat occupants do not wear seatbelts while travelling on the expressway, which is one of the prominent reasons for accidents.
JP Research, another organisation working towards crash investigation, confirmed that around 38 per cent accidents are caused due to human errors that involve speeding on the expressway above the speed of 80 kmph.

Source : https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pu...7bSB_-S7Huums0

[RM Motorsports]

Mumbai-Pune Expressway speed limit down to 100kmph from November.

From mid-November, those driving between Mumbai and
Pune won’t be able to cruise at 120kmph, as the state traffic police has
reduced the speed limit for cars on Expressways to 100kmph. A
notification from the ministry of road transport and highway had earlier
raised the limit to 120kmph from 80kmph.

The notification mentions that no cognizance of speed limit violations will be taken, if the vehicle is travelling within 5% of the maximum speed specified, under section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/71814032.cms

[vharihar]

We need to realize that driving ought to be safely pleasurable. Understand, the US had a speed limit of 55 mph (ie. less than 90 kmph) on all its freeways till about 1998, that too after having quite a few decades of freeways that were much safer and better constructed than Indian hwys of today. And yet their speed limits were 90 kmph. And people largely complied driving peacefully, per my 15+ years of experience there.

Then, why can't we be happy with 90 kmph speed limits on our Indian expwys (dropping down to 75 kmph on NHAI 4-laned hwys, I'd argue)? Just drive peacefully and enjoy the drive fellas. Its not a racetrack out there!

Howmuchever of a good driver you are and a safe car you have, unexpected events happen that are beyond your control: Tyre bursts, someone else losing control and coming your way, etc. So just stick to a max 90 kmph even if you happen to own a Lamborghini, and enjoy the drive.

There's no shame in sticking to speed limits and driving safely.

And this tendency of putting on high-beam just so you can drive fast at night, ought to stop! Its a nuisance to others. If visibility is low, the correct thing to do is slow down; not put the high beam and retain the high speed!

[lamborghini]

Originally Posted by RM Motorsports

Mumbai-Pune Expressway speed limit down to 100kmph from November.

The notification mentions that no cognizance of speed limit violations will be taken, if the vehicle is travelling within 5% of the maximum speed specified, under section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Man, this e-way speed limit is one confusing topic.
From 80 to 120 to 80 to 100kmph! I just hope they figure it out and update the speed limit boards.

Interestingly, the other day during a drive to Pune, I was pleasantly surprised to see most of the vehicles sticking to 80kmph or lower speeds fearing the wrath of the cameras.
In fact, even lane discipline was almost as good as it can get in today's day and age!

That being said, I do whole heartedly agree that 100kmph is a good limit for the road given the condition of the roads, some vehicles & driver capabilities. Anything lower and we have a bunch of frustrated drivers who will start cutting and driving rashly where possible to make up time, and anything higher would see a bunch of inexperienced drivers and poorly maintained vehicles meeting with accidents.

[ptushar]

My issue is not with the speed limit at all. 100 kmph is a perfectly good speed limit and makes a lot of sense.

I have two pet issues with the MPEW:
1. Trucks hogging all three lanes
2. Some nuts actually driving as if they are playing a video game and there awaits a grand prize if they overtake all vehicles. (I guess they also believe that they have three lives)

In short, rash and irresponsible driving. I really wish people are educated on the correct way to drive on an expressway.

While I am at it, may I also mention this ridiculous habit of a few vehicles to switch on the hazard lights as soon as they enter a tunnel. Now what in heaven's name is that?

[avishar]

Not sure where to post this, so hope it is appropriate here. In a couple of years time Mumbaikars will have a new expressway to enjoy! Some pictures of the under-construction Mumbai-Aurangabad-Nagpur Expressway.












These pictures are from Skyscrapercity. Check that link for more updates.

Bonus picture of Vadodra-Kim section of the Vadodra-Mumbai Expressway (8-lane) under-construction in Gujurat. This is also a part of the Mumbai-Pune expressway. From Vadodra it turns towards Mandsaur and Kota. Source

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by lamborghini

That being said, I do whole heartedly agree that 100kmph is a good limit for the road given the condition of the roads, some vehicles & driver capabilities. Anything lower and we have a bunch of frustrated drivers who will start cutting and driving rashly where possible to make up time, and anything higher would see a bunch of inexperienced drivers and poorly maintained vehicles meeting with accidents.

Exactly.
100 kmphr is a good max. speed for the Expressway. On the ghat section the speed limit should be 60kmphr because of some steep turns.
However once the missing connector is constructed which will bypass the ghats with tunnels, then we need to wait and watch.

Over last two years, I have seen more disciplined driving on the Expressway simply for the fear of being fined.

Let's hope things turn out for the best.

[sandeepsc]

One should always bear in mind that our highways or expressways are not designed and constructed for high speed driving. There are always chances for surprises on our highways. The standards or norms are never followed during construction stage. Considering current condition of this e-way, 100 kmph limit is more than sufficient for safe and enjoyable driving. Some of the concerns on e-way are speedy lane cutting, overtaking from wrong side, Truckers driving on fast lane, too steep ghat section, someone driving too slow on fast lane, driver’s attitude that they are King of road.

To sum up if we make up our mind to follow traffic rules and put limit on our right foot, then drive will be more fun, enjoyable, enthusiastic and most importantly safer for road users.

[Hayek]

Disagree strongly with the 100 kph speed limit. Limits that are too low only discourage compliance - and lead to more accidents. The expressway was originally designed for a 120 kph speed limit. I would rather the authorities stick to that and enforce strictly, than attempt to set a limit such as 100 kph (or even worse 80 kph) which no one will follow.

Rather than focusing on cars that drive safely at 120 kph, the authorities should crack down on trucks hogging the centre or right lanes at 40 kph - in fact vehicles moving slower than 80 kph should not be allowed on the expressway.