UPEIDA to reduce speed limit on Agra-Lucknow Expressway from 120 km to…during night hours, know why

UPEIDA to reduce speed limit on Agra-Lucknow Expressway

The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) plans to reduce the maximum vehicle speed limit on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway to 75 kmph from the current 120 kmph. The move comes after NHAI shared data showing that “70% of accidents occur between 12 am and 8 am on busy e-roads”.

However, the authority’s plan includes not only speed restriction on highways but also other measures such as conducting safety audits on e-roads, recording accidents through drones to ensure scientific research and analysis of real causes, installation of crash barriers on both sides of the central median and setting up digital awareness boards at toll plazas and roadside amenities.

Why will the speed limit probably be reduced?

Currently, the speed limit for brisk passenger, minibuses and similar commercial vehicles is 100 km/h, for heavy trucks it is 80 km/h, and for smaller vehicles it is 120 km/h.

The timing of the decision is significant as it comes during the winter season when night visibility is at its lowest, especially in cities like Delhi where pollution-induced haze further reduces visibility.

UPEIDA’s plan is based on the proposal discussed in a recent meeting chaired by its CEO Deepak Kumar. During the meeting, Srihari Pratap Shahi, additional CEO of UPEIDA, said: “An analysis was made on how to reduce the number of accidents, especially on winter nights when there is fog. One of the proposals that came up was to reduce the speed and we are considering it. Besides the speed limit, driving under the influence of alcohol and ordinary driver fatigue are also major issues. A final decision on these suggestions is yet to be taken.”

According to UPEIDA data reported by TOI, around 1,077 accidents were recorded on the 302 km long Agra-Lucknow Expressway between January and September. Of these, 583 (54%) occurred at night and 494 (46%) occurred during the day. It was also noted that the majority of the accidents occurred at night, 66 of them resulted in death, and 28 deaths occurred during the day. According to experts, the reason for this difference is poor visibility, driver fatigue, minimal inspections and lack of roadside facilities.