Navi Mumbai [India], October 14: Navi Mumbai Traffic Police have proposed a series of road safety measures on Palm Beach Road, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based speed cameras, taller rumble strips and improved street lighting, following the death of a woman in a road accident near Sarsole signal on September 27. The recommendations have been submitted to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to address speeding and other safety concerns along the busy road.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr Rahul Khade has highlighted the need for stronger preventive measures, stating that the existing rumble strips are not effective enough in forcing motorists to reduce their speed. The proposed changes aim to improve traffic discipline and reduce the risk of serious accidents along the Vashi–Belapur stretch.
One of the key recommendations is to increase the height of the existing rumble strips from 12.5 millimetres to 20 millimetres. Traffic police have also suggested installing three to four rows of rumble strips at intervals of 15 metres to encourage drivers to slow down while approaching accident-prone locations.
The police have identified four high-risk locations requiring attention: Akshar signal, T.S. Chanakya signal, Sarsole signal and Moraj signal. AI-powered speed cameras are proposed at four to five speeding hotspots to detect vehicles exceeding the prescribed speed limits and help authorities take action against traffic violations.
The action plan also addresses unsafe road access points. Near Moraj signal, police have recommended permanently closing an opening created by breaking an iron railing, which allows vehicles travelling from Akshar Tower to enter the main carriageway. Such openings can create potentially dangerous movements and increase the risk of collisions.
Additional measures have been proposed to improve two-wheeler safety. These include installing signboards directing riders to use the left lane and raising the side shoulders to bring them level with the road surface. Police have also recommended reflective red stickers on dividers and side railings to make road boundaries more visible to motorists.
Night-time visibility is another major concern addressed in the proposal. The traffic department has recommended replacing older streetlights with brighter LED lighting, improving black-and-yellow road markings and installing cat’s-eye reflectors. These measures are intended to help drivers identify road layouts, dividers and potential hazards more clearly, particularly after dark.
The latest recommendations follow renewed concerns about accidents on Palm Beach Road after the September 27 fatal collision near Sarsole signal. The proposed improvements place responsibility on the civic administration to assess and implement infrastructure changes, while enforcement measures such as speed monitoring are expected to support safer driving practices.
The proposals are now aimed at securing civic action from NMMC. Their implementation could strengthen road safety along one of Navi Mumbai’s major traffic corridors, although the effectiveness of the plan will depend on timely execution, regular enforcement and responsible driving by road users.
