In collaboration with Mumbai Mobility Forum (MMF), Parisar organised a stakeholders consultation on 24th August, 2024 inviting various CSOs in Mumbai to take part in discussions on road safety in Mumbai and Maharashtra at large. The opening remarks were delivered by Sandeep Gaikwad from Parisar who emphasised on the importance of preparing the Urban Speed Management Guidelines for Maharashtra, and Ashok Datar who shared the work of Mumbai Mobility Forum on sustainable transportation and road safety in Mumbai.
Session 1: Discussion on Draft Document - Chapters 1 & 2
The objective of session 1 was to set the background for speed management guidelines and discuss its relevance for Maharashtra. The comments received from the participants were as follows:
- Public Awareness: Disseminate the guidelines through mass media to raise awareness.
- Enforcement Gaps: Address gaps where officials are unaware of existing speed management policies.
- Public Transport: Enforce specific measures for public transport, particularly buses, to adhere to speed limits.
- Road Rage: Integrate measures to reduce aggressive driving behaviour, especially linked to speeding.
- Auto Rickshaw Turn Radius: Discuss factors like reducing rickshaw turn radii to improve traffic flow.
- Pedestrian Safety: Lack of pavements discourages walking; pedestrians often cross roads unsafely.
- Police Training: Provide updated training for police officers to enforce speed limits.
- Speed Limit Enforcement: Address mismatches between posted and government-recommended speed limits.
- Speed Governors: Mandate speed governors in private vehicles.
- Departmental Communication: Improve inter-departmental communication on speed limit setting.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): Consider specific speed limits for EVs, given their agility and silence.
- Crash Reporting: Many small crashes go unreported; emphasise better reporting mechanisms.
- Innovative Technologies: Explore new technologies for speed enforcement.
- Police Training Gaps: Traffic police are often unaware of or not updated on speed management guidelines.
Session 2: Technical Aspects of Design and Engineering Treatments for Setting Speed Limits
The objective of session 2 was to discuss the technical guidelines for speed limit setting and recommendations for Maharashtra. The comments received from the participants were as follows:
- Parking on Arterial Roads: Parking restrictions on arterial roads, as per IRC guidelines, should be implemented.
- District Road Safety Committee: Participants noted the existence of these committees and their roles in enforcing road safety.
- Speed Charts: Participants requested more time to review and provide feedback on the speed limit setting charts.
Sandeep, Senior Programme Associate for Road Safety, gave a presentation on the e-challan system in Maharashtra, its benefits and challenges in recovery of unpaid challans. This was followed by a brainstorming activity where participants were asked to rank the various solutions for improving challan recovery system. The ranked recommendations are as follows:
- Highest Priority:
- Real-time data integration
- Awareness campaigns and media support
- Technology support from firms
- High Priority:
- System integration with other databases
- Digital payment platforms
- License suspension
- Low Priority:
- Customer support centres
- Audits and reviews
- Lowest Priority:
- Public reports, reward programs, and periodic amnesty
Additional suggestions included:
- Link pending challans to vehicle insurance and PUC certificates.
- Target enforcement agencies for challan recovery.
- Improve technologies for accurate violation detection (e.g., better number plate recognition).
- Develop an app for public reporting of traffic violations.
Session 3: Road Safety Action Planning and Implementation (Conducted by Amar Karan, Centre for Environment Education (CEE))
The objective of session 3 was to discuss the creation of SMART State Road Safety Action Plans (SRSAP) using a Safe Systems approach. The key insights from the session were as follows:
- Participants engaged in creating action items under pillars such as safer roads, safer vehicles, and emergency response.
- The Transport Department has already started pushing districts to prepare road safety action plans, with active contributions from District Road Safety Committees.
Sandeep also took this opportunity to spotlight on 'Helmet Enforcement' campaign. This would support the increase in helmet compliance to reduce fatalities and injuries among two-wheeler riders. The section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act mandates helmet use and the Rule 138 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules requires manufacturers to provide helmets. Participants made the following suggestions to the same:
- Pillion Rider Focus: Need specific surveys targeting pillion rider compliance.
- Helmet Design: Concerns about helmet comfort and safety, suggesting ISI-marked helmets for better ventilation and visibility.
- Technology Use: Explore helmet detection technology to prevent bikes from starting unless a helmet is worn.
- Youth Engagement: Emphasis on social media and media campaigns targeting youth to make helmet use appealing.
The consultation concluded with actionable takeaways, including the need for enhanced public awareness, better enforcement mechanisms, and technological advancements to address speed management and road safety challenges in Maharashtra. Following this, we are undertaking further review and refinement of speed management guidelines. Our efforts continue to advocate for unpaid challan recovery and stricter helmet enforcement for improved road safety in the state. For any further details, please write to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A similar consultation was held in Pune. Click here to access the details of the consultation.