Jaypee Infratech Limited seeks ₹20 crore to enhance safety on Yamuna Expressway

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) on Thursday said the Jaypee Infratech Limited, concessionaire of the 165-km Yamuna Expressway, has sought ₹20 crore funds from the resolution professional to spend on various facilities required for ensuring safety of motorists.

The operator needs to spend funds to implement the suggestions made by the Central Road Research Institute that had, in 2014, conducted a safety audit and made suggestions.

“The Jaypee Infratech Limited needs to take multiple steps that include installation of crash barriers along the central verge of the expressway, increasing the height of the fencing along the road and installing streetlights, among others. These measures are part of the report submitted by the CRRI. But Jaypee could not implement these suggestions so far,” Arun Vir Singh, chief executive officer, Yeida, said.

A crash barrier on the central verge is acutely needed as during accidents, vehicles often end up crashing into those on the other side, officials said. Also, due to the low height of the fencing, pedestrians climb on to the expressway, thereby causing accidents.

“If the height of fencing is increased, then during accidents, it will help minimise the damage to the vehicle and commuters. The operator needs to install lights in a phase-wise manner. In first phase, it needs to light the expressway till Jewar, in second phase till Mathura, and in third phase, it needs to light the stretch up to Agra,” Singh said.

The CRRI had recommended increasing the height of the fencing as vehicles often off the expressway, officials said.

The data provided by Yeida officials show that 45% of accidents take place because drivers fall asleep. Nineteen per cent accidents take place due to speeding, 11% each due to violation of traffic rules and tyre bursts, and 14% due to drink driving.

“If all suggestions of the CRRI are implemented, then accidents will reduce. The Jaypee has submitted the estimate of these works to the resolution professional for necessary approval,” Singh said.

The resolution professional, appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal, was unavailable for comment.