Mumbai-Delhi Expressway Accidents: NHAI To Plant Bamboo Barricades To Save Lives & Reduce Damage

Accidents occur daily on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, leading to tragic loss of lives. In an effort to reduce the impact of accidents, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced plans to plant bamboo trees along both sides of the expressway, as per a Kisan Tak report. This initiative aims to create a protective bamboo layer that will act as a natural barricade, enhancing safety on the expressway.

Addressing Over-Speeding

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the longest superhighway in India, has a maximum speed limit of 120 kilometres per hour. However, many drivers exceed this limit, with vehicles often reaching speeds of 200 kilometres per hour or more. Such reckless driving increases the risk of fatal accidents, where even a minor error can have devastating consequences.

Photo Credit: PTI

The Bamboo Barricade Plan

Currently, iron barricades are installed on the expressway's sides. These, while serving as barriers, often result in significant damage to vehicles and injuries to passengers during collisions. Recognising this, the NHAI has decided to replace these with bamboo barriers, starting with the stretch between Gurugram and Alwar.

PK Kaushik, Project Director for NHAI's Sohna Project, stated in the same report that the headquarters had prioritised the use of bamboo for its strength and flexibility. Bamboo not only causes less damage to vehicles upon impact but also requires minimal maintenance. The planting process will begin soon, ensuring a robust bamboo layer forms along the expressway.

Selection Of Routes

NHAI is identifying expressways and highways across India with higher accident rates for the installation of bamboo barriers. Unlike steel barriers, bamboo barriers are designed to absorb shock effectively, helping vehicles maintain balance and stop safely on impact.

Successful Trials In Progress

Bamboo crash barriers have already been tested on a 10-kilometre highway stretch in India, with positive results. These barriers are not only cost-effective compared to steel but also incur lower maintenance expenses. Encouraged by these trials, the NHAI plans to expand this system to other accident-prone highways.

By adopting bamboo barriers, the NHAI aims to make the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway safer for drivers while also promoting the use of eco-friendly materials in infrastructure.