Fifteen fatality-prone locations along the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH-48) have undergone significant safety upgrades through a collaborative effort led by SaveLIFE Foundation, in partnership with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) Limited, Maharashtra Highway Police, and Highways Infrastructure Trust.
The upgrades are part of SaveLIFE’s Zero Fatality Corridor programme, aimed at addressing the root causes of road crashes by focusing on road engineering, law enforcement, and emergency response. This stretch of highway recorded 88 deaths in the previous year, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
The project began with a comprehensive road safety assessment using field surveys and data analysis to identify high-risk zones. Based on these findings, specific road engineering solutions—referred to as safety treatments—were introduced. These included clearer signage, speed-calming features, enhanced pedestrian infrastructure, improved visibility, and redesigned intersections to reduce the risk of collisions.
Dr Zafar Khan, Executive Director and Joint CEO, Highways Infrastructure Trust, said, "Maharashtra recorded over 15,000 road crash fatalities last year, majority of them on highways—a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic interventions. As part of our commitment to safer roads for all, Highways Infrastructure Trust has partnered with SaveLIFE Foundation to implement targeted safety measures along a high-risk stretch of the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway. Together, we are introducing speed-calming measures, improving pedestrian crossing visibility, and reinforcing lane discipline, with an aim to reduce fatalities on the corridor by 20 to 30 percent over the coming years. We believe that road safety must be engineered by design and are confident that this collaborative model will deliver measurable, replicable impact."
In addition to infrastructure changes, enforcement strategies were also put in place to promote better compliance with traffic rules and encourage safer driving behavior.
Piyush Tewari, Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, said, “This initiative demonstrates what is possible when data, engineering, and strong partnerships come together for road safety. We are grateful to the MSRDC, Maharashtra Highway Police and Highways Infrastructure Trust for helping us implement life-saving solutions on one of Maharashtra’s busiest highways.”
