The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has mandated the use of a new mobile application for all commuters on the Yamuna Expressway. Spanning 165 kilometres, the Yamuna Expressway connects Greater Noida with Agra and is one of India’s busiest and longest expressways. Given the high volume of traffic and the expressway’s reputation for frequent accidents, the introduction of the ‘Highway Saathi’ app is a proactive measure to improve safety and efficiency.
The CEO of YEIDA, has announced that starting from 15th February 2021, all vehicles entering the Yamuna Expressway must have the ‘Highway Saathi’ app installed. This app, available exclusively on the Google Play Store, is designed to provide a range of essential services to users. It offers real-time updates on road conditions, including traffic alerts, accident reports, and the availability of nearby police stations and ambulances. The app’s functionality extends to safety and convenience features such as locating fuel stations and mechanics, and it allows users to report accidents directly. Upon reporting an incident, the app alerts the nearest police station, ensuring a rapid response and potentially reducing the impact of road accidents. The initiative comes in response to the expressway’s troubling history of accidents, which have often been attributed to factors such as high speeds, tyre failures, and infrastructure issues.
By making the app mandatory, YEIDA aims to mitigate these risks, improve accident response times, and ultimately reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries. However, it is worth noting that as of the latest updates, the app is still not officially available on the Play Store, though unofficial APK versions have been circulating. This discrepancy could pose challenges for widespread adoption and may necessitate further action from YEIDA to ensure all users can access the app.
In summary, the introduction of the ‘Highway Saathi’ app reflects a growing trend towards digital solutions in infrastructure management, with the goal of enhancing safety and operational efficiency. As the app becomes a compulsory tool for travellers, it represents a significant step forward in addressing the safety concerns associated with one of India’s critical transport corridors.
