The Maharashtra Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has deployed quick response vehicles (QRV) on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to deal with emergencies, with a response time of five to 10 minutes to any situation. Each of the four vehicles will have five staffers and will be equipped with gas cutters, a water tank, a towing crane, stretchers and power generators.
The four QRVs will each be stationed at every 24km on the 96-km long Mumbai-Pune Expressway to deal with any accidents. “The QRVs are deployed at Khalapur Toll Naka, Lonavala, Sinhagad Institute and Talegaon Toll Naka. They will be manned in shifts and provide 24×7 services on the Expressway. Our aim is to provide immediate help to accident victims within five to 10 minutes. This will help save lives,” said MSRDC executive engineer Sanjay Gangurde. “The QRV fire and rescue vehicle is manufactured and operated by Aryan Pumps and Enviro Solutions Pvt Ltd, Pune. All one has to do is call the emergency number 9822498224. Within minutes the vehicles will reach the spot to provide emergency assisstance to accident victims,” he said, adding the QRVs can also call ambulances to the spot.
“The MSRDC had deployed the QRVs on trial and the operation and maintenance contract has been given to us for two years. It will be extended to 10 years based on performance. Deployment of one QRV will cost MSRDC Rs 2.25 crore per annum. The total contract of all four QRVs stands at Rs18 crore for two years. The QRVs will be able to help in incidents of fire, accidents involving chemicals and oil spills, besides rescuing those trapped in accidents. The QRVs are stationed in such a way that victims can be reached in 10 minutes,” said Suresh Kamble, assistant vice-president, Aryan Pumps.
Arun Katkar, assistant inspector of the state highway traffic police, “It is a good initiative and accident victims will get immediate help from trained personnel. Besides, gas cutters, fire-fighting foam and water will help with rescue operations in any emergency.” A QRV was successfully used to help victims of the Madap tunnel accident that occured in the early hours of November 23 involving a group of 34 Mumbaikars, in which six people died.