While the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway has claimed more than 166 lives in three years and earned the notorious reputation of being a death trap, the police believe the developer, DSC Limited, is responsible for the rising number of accidents.
The police department has claimed the company has not taken adequate measures to check mishaps on the expressway in the last three years since it was thrown open for public in January 2008.
In a written reply to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Bharti Arora said a total of 1,184 accidents were reported on the entire NH-8 and 626 of these took place on the Gurgaon Expressway while the remaining 558 were on NH-8 beyond the Kherki Daula toll plaza.
"Despite several reminders, not much work has been done. The company claims it is concerned about the safety and security of commuters but the fact is that in the last three years many accidents have taken place on the expressway due to lack of basic facilities. We have written several letters to the concessionaire firm regarding requirement of flyovers, pedestrian bridges, traffic signals and marking of lanes but the situation remains the same," said Gurgaon police commissioner SS Deswal.
"In the year 2008, a total 460 cases were registered on NH-8, including 251 on the expressway and 209 on other stretches of the highway. In 2009, a total of 328 accidents took place on NH-8, including 177 cases on the expressway. Last year, a total of 316 mishaps took place on NH-8 including 166 cases on the expressway and 150 at other locations. A total of 80 accidents took place on NH-8, including 32 cases on expressway, till March 31 this year," said Arora.
{{/usCountry}}"In the year 2008, a total 460 cases were registered on NH-8, including 251 on the expressway and 209 on other stretches of the highway. In 2009, a total of 328 accidents took place on NH-8, including 177 cases on the expressway. Last year, a total of 316 mishaps took place on NH-8 including 166 cases on the expressway and 150 at other locations. A total of 80 accidents took place on NH-8, including 32 cases on expressway, till March 31 this year," said Arora.
{{/usCountry}}"In our reply, we have mentioned that the company only wants to enhance their monetary benefits instead of the safety and security of public and save their time and energy," she added.
Meanwhile, Delhi Gurgaon Super Connectivity Limited officials said they are not aware about any such development in court and refused to comment on this issue.
However, company sources claimed the number of accidents on the expressway have come down thanks to a number of initiatives taken by them.
Company officials also said the accident figures could have been reduced further had there been stringent enforcement of traffic rules by agencies.