GHAZIABAD: Wrong-side driving, parked trucks and banned vehicles like bikes and tractors have been found to be the major reason for accidents on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
Between February 10 and August 18, around 15 accidents have taken place on the speedway in which more than 20 people have lost their lives and 19 got injured. In most of the fatal accidents, people were on bikes.
Many blamed lack of police vigil and enforcement for commuters turning a blind eye to rules. As U-turns are at long intervals, many indulge in wrong-side driving to take short cuts. Moreover, bikes and tractor-trolleys are banned on the highway, but they can still be found in large numbers.
The reason why bikes and tractors are not allowed on the DME is the major difference of speed between them and other vehicles that hurtle down the road at 80-90kmph. Two-wheelers, which take the DME to reach their destinations in a short time because of the seamless ride, are often found involved in accidents.
Recently, three persons, including a mother-daughter duo, were killed when the bike they were riding was hit by an unknown vehicle on the expressway. The bike was being driven by the 18-year-old girl.
On February 14, a 32-year-old teacher riding a bike towards Delhi was killed after a speeding SUV being driven on the wrong side allegedly hit him on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway near Khoda Colony.
On May 25, two persons were burnt to death and four other passengers suffered injuries after a van with six passengers flipped over on the DME.
Opened to commuters in April 2021, the 60km expressway connects Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan with Meerut. After over a year, Ghaziabad traffic police now issue only e-challans for speeding. But challans for other offences are yet to start.
SP (traffic) Ramanand Kushwaha said teams were deployed after every 5km. There are a total of 18 places where cops are stationed for issuing challans and stopping banned vehicles. "We have already asked NHAI to install adequate and good quality CCTV cameras on the expressway so that e-challans can be issued," he added.
"Around 10 PRVs have been patrolling on the stretch. If they find any parked vehicles, they issue challans," he said.
