Drive above 120 kmph on Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, pay ₹1,500 fine

In a bid to curb accidents and reckless driving on the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) have installed an automated vehicle speed detection system along the corridor.

Officials said motorists exceeding the prescribed speed limit on the expressway will now receive e-challans directly on their registered mobile phones.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and vehicle speed detection systems have been installed between Ganadeva in the Navsari district and Vadodara. Furthermore, 10 cameras have been installed at intervals of approximately 10 kilometres in both directions to monitor vehicle speeds.

Under the revised norms, cars will be permitted to travel at a maximum speed of 120 kmph, while buses and trucks will have a speed limit of 100 kmph. Heavier vehicles have been assigned a lower speed limit of 80 kmph.

Separate maximum speed limits have been set for each of the four lanes on both sides of the expressway.

- First lane: 60 kmph

- Second lane: 80 kmph

- Third lane: 100 kmph

- Fourth lane: specifically for overtaking (not meant for continuous driving)

Officials said motorists found violating the speed limits will receive an e-challan of ₹1,500. Repeat violations detected at subsequent camera checkpoints could attract a higher penalty of ₹2,000. Furthermore, an additional challan of ₹3,000 will be issued if the vehicle is found speeding more than 10 kmph above the prescribed speed limit. Truck and multi-axle vehicle drivers will have to pay a fine of ₹4,000 for overspeeding. 

The move comes in the wake of a series of accidents on the eight-lane expressway, which has been operational for traffic in both directions since January 10. According to NHAI sources, more than 60 accidents have been reported on the expressway in the past five months, claiming over 10 lives.