The 296-km long Bundelkhand Expressway for which the foundation was laid by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2020 is all set to be completed by end of the current year. It is expected to be the safest Four lane Expressway in the country as it is based on the concept of ‘Forgiving Road’ which has been incorporated in planning and design which are under implementation.
The Four lane access controlled expressway is being constructed by the nodal agency Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and being executed by the four private infra majors -Apco Infratech, Ashoka Buildcon, Gawar Construction and Dilip Buildcon. The Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats (ICT), a leading global consultancy organisation is the Authority Engineer for the Supervision of the expressway.
“To make Bundelkhand Expressway safest and a forgiving road in the country with minimal accidents and almost no road fatality, the most desirable design standards have been adopted and are being implemented. The 5E’s of safe road operations including Road Engineering, Vehicular Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Emergency care will be fully catered to along with the construction of the highway. “Said Mr K K Kapila, Chairman and Managing Director of Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats (ICT), the Authority’s Engineer and also the President Emeritus of Geneva based International Road Federation (IRF) working worldwide for better and safer roads.
“For implementing all Safe Engineering practices in the project, all suitable measures have been taken including latest crash barriers, Design of at-grade and grade separated junctions, appropriate traffic signage, road markings, etc,” said Mr Kapila.
“For Vehicular engineering, we are vying for provision of Under Run Protection, Front Under Run Protection and Side Under Run Protection for heavy vehicles by retrofitting in the old fleet as well as reflective tapes on heavy vehicles and tractors/tractor trolleys and other safety features.
As regards the area of Enforcement, we are planning to provide training to police officials on Accident Data Collection, First Aid Trauma Care, Good Samaritan Law, etc. Another aspect on this model stretch is to provide an Automated Traffic Management System (ATMS) for safe operation of Traffic and monitoring Incident Management. The ATMS solution includes providing Mobile Communication Systems, Variable Message Signs, Weigh-in-Motion System and Central Control Room. The key to Safe Road Infrastructure Design is consistency. Our associate in the road safety effort is the Indian Road Traffic Education (IRTE) who will provide the much needed training to police officials on Road Traffic Management “said Mr Kapila.
“In the area of Education, our effort would be to inculcate good road behaviour through awareness campaigns in schools , inbuilt road safety curriculum in the existing text books, etc. We will be targeting Schools in Two Kms vicinity to the Expressway. The Text Books with Road Safety Curriculum for classes VI to X have already been provided to the State Government for necessary adoption by the Schools. Road Safety Films, Road Safety Anthem, etc. are being provided for screening on Television and playing on Radio. To encourage the media to report exceptional stories on road safety or contributing to creating awareness on this important aspect, an award for the media has also been set up for the state media persons.” Said Mr Kapila.
“In the area of Emergency Care, the road side community including Eateries, small repair shops, Fuel Stations, Poice personnel, etc. shall be trained on First Aid Pre-hospital trauma care to assist the accident victims within the Golden Hour. The capacity of medical facilities within 5 Kms of the Expressway will also be upgraded. Provision of first aid pre-hospital care within the golden hour as well as strengthened medical facilities will greatly enhance the chance of survival of the accident victim.” Said Mr Kapila.
