Drive against halting near eway waterfalls

Pune: The state Highway Safety Patrol (HSP), Pune, has launched a drive to prevent motorists from stopping their vehicles on the shoulder of the Pune-Mumbai expressway near sites of numerous waterfalls appearing along the hilly stretches of Lonavla, Khandala and Kamshet with the onset of monsoon.It is a regular practice among citizens to stop vehicles near small waterfalls close to the expressway, take a stroll, enjoy the rain and click photographs during monsoon. It increases risks of collision.Pune HSP superintendent of police Shivaji Pawar told TOI: “It is illegal to halt vehicles on the expressway as per rules. However, motorists often ignore the danger. We will take strong action in such cases.”Police officials said such unauthorised stoppages pose a serious threat to road safety, as vehicles parked on the shoulder of the expressway — one of the busiest high-speed corridors in India — can lead to fatal accidents.

“There have been numerous instances of speeding vehicles ramming stationary ones from behind on the shoulder. We want to avert such accidents,” said Pawar.HSP officials said that usually, motorists look past repeated warnings and park their vehicles dangerously close to the flowing waterfalls. “We have already enhanced day patrolling along vulnerable stretches where waterfalls are located close to the shoulder. Officials are using public address system to spread awareness,” he added.Officials said citizens violating the rules would be fined under relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Additionally, the HSP will install No Halting signboards at identified spots.