Some thoughts on Trans Maharashtra Expressway…
Hon. Chief Minister has promised
a Trans Maharashtra Expressway to Connect South-Western Maharashtra with
Vidarbh region. Surely it is a dream project that will facilitate fast movement
of goods and people across the region. We have in last couple of decades built
number of highways and also augmented a few. However, Maharashtra roads have
never reached the standards maintained in other states, forget the world
standards. Take example of NH4 or now AH47 that connects Mumbai with Bangalore.
As soon as one crosses from Maharashtra into Karnataka the difference is
visible. There is difference in quality of road surface, curbing, facilities, geometry
and what not. It is hard to believe that this is part of same highway that one
is traveling on from Pune.
I have a wish list for designers of Trans Maharashtra
Expressway:
1.
The road shall originate near Banda, the
southernmost part of Maharashtra and end near Kopela or Ankisa in Gadchiroli
district with a branch also reaching Manibeli in Khandesh region.
2.
It should not enter any town or city and shall
run keeping minimum distance of 30-35 kms from edge of any town, city or
settlement.
3.
There should be grade-separated interchanges
with links connecting the large town from nearest passing point.
4.
Wherever the road has no option but to pass near
or through the settlement the road must be elevated or sunk to segregate the
fast moving vehicular traffic.
5.
Entire road (right of way) shall be fenced with
electric fence to stop cattle, stray animals and also human beings from
entering the right of way in unauthorized manner.
6.
Access to link roads as well as above referred
facilities shall be strictly through service roads only.
7.
No toll booths shall be located on main
expressway but they shall be located on entry/exit links.
8.
There should be a stopping bay with washrooms at
interval of 5 kms; a fuel pump with convenience shop, café with washrooms,
emergency medical van, control/monitoring room with police beat-box and small
parking at interval of 30 kms and full-fledged large parking, fuel pump,
service facility, grocery shop, restaurants, Clinic, etc. at interval of 90
kms.
9.
At all locations where the slope or grade exceeds
1:40 additional lanes for heavy vehicles shall be provided to help them
negotiate the slope without causing hindrance to light vehicles.
10.
The entire expressway shall be designed for
average speed of 130 kms per hour for all types of vehicles.
11.
Minimum width of median shall be 7.5 meters and
minimum right of way for the road shall be 60 meters, ideally 100 meters.
12.
There should be 4 lanes in each direction of
width 4 meters each and shoulder/ refuse area shall be 10 meters wide.
13.
All bridges shall have footpath (not meant for
pedestrians) on either side of carriageway of minimum width of 1.5 meters,
beyond minimum shoulder of 1.5 meters.
14.
Entire road shall be under surveillance of
cameras and speed detecting cameras located at every 5 kms distance, near midpoint
between two stopping bays, and also at all vulnerable locations.
15.
Entire road shall be lined with tall growing
trees to cut down speed of wind and also to provide shade where possible, while
ensuring visibility of minimum 300 meters in both directions.
I hope this wish list will be duly considered while
designing the road and related infrastructure.
Readers may please contribute.
