Pune: The Public Works Department (PWD) has identified 51 ‘Black Spots’ on roads in the district. These are areas having structural issues, which can lead to accidents. These spots were to be fixed before May 2018. The issue was raised in the district transport committee meeting held on Friday.
“We have identified 51 black spots in the district. These spots are on various national and state highways. Of these, 27 black spots will be rectified using the power given to the committee by the State Government. While 19 will be addressed through Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and other such programmes. Three are being rectified either by MSRDC or local civic bodies and rectification work for two has already been done. Rectification of all 51 black spots is the aim, which should be completed by May 2019,” said Milind Barbhai, Executive Engineer, PWD, Pune.
To address the issue of frequent accidents on highways, the State has directed that police station-level committees for road safety be formed in order to identify new black spots. The committee is expected to revisit every major accident in the area and investigate reasons behind them and temporary and permanent measures that are to be taken to eliminate the ‘black spots’. “Rectification of black spot involves two kinds of measure - immediate and permanent. Immediate measures involve correction of damage to road causing unsafe conditions for traffic; installation of road signs, making road markings and taking speed reduction measures such as fitting rumble strips,” he said.
Permanent measures may involve widening of the road, construction or repair of railings and road dividers. To take these measures, additional financial powers have been given to PWD officers ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 3 crore.
