Over 700 died in past 5 yrs on Yamuna e-way
According to Yeida, there have been 3,759 accidents during this period; this January saw 49 accidents
On average, 142.6 deaths are being reported annually on this expressway. We have directed the operator to take effective measures to make it safer. ARUN VIR SINGH, chief executive officer, Yeida
GREATER NOIDA: Over 700 people were killed in road accidents on the 165-km Yamuna Expressway that links Greater Noida with Agra since 2016.
According to the Yamuna Expressway industrial development authority (Yeida), there had been 3,759 accident during this period. while this January alone saw 49 accidents in which 15 people died.
“On average, 142.6 deaths are being reported annually on this Expressway. We have directed the operator to take effective measures to ensure safety of motorists,” said Arun Vir Singh, the chief executive officer of Yeida, the agency that monitors the expressway.
The expressway was opened to commuters in August 2012. Jaypee Infrastructure Limited (JIL) built it investing around ₹13,000 crore and got the right to operate it for 36 years. It was expected to earn through collection of toll, while at the same time being responsible for its maintenance, said officials.
The company earned around ₹35 crore monthly in toll collection.
In August 2017, the company faced bankruptcy as it could not repay a debt of around Rs 800 crore.
The national company law tribunal (NCLT) then appointed a resolution officer Anuj Jain to look after the company’s finances and take all pertinent decisions.
On Tuesday night an out-ofcontrol oil tanker, travelling to Agra, jumped the divider and collided with an SUV travelling to Noida. The seven occupants of the SUV were killed on the spot, while the driver and cleaner of the tanker fled.
“Speeding is the main reason for road accidents on the expressway. Other reasons are driver falling asleep, wrong lane driving and drink driving, among others. We had asked the toll operator to take measures to ensure safety of motorists on th expressway and reduce accidents,” said Singh.
In 2018, the authority had hired the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D), to conduct a safety audit of the Expressway.
“It suggested multiple measures such as crash barriers and CCTV cameras, among others. But Anuj Jain and JIL did not do that, except a few measures, despite repeated notices. We have filed an FIR against them,” said Singh.
“Had the operator installed the crash barrier, then it would have saved seven lives on Wednesday,” the CEO said.
Toll operator Jaypee Infratech Limited and Jain did not respond to request for comment.