₹10 cr to be spent on 10 projects in the State in first phase of WB-aided project

The Kerala Road Safety Authority has selected the Pavangad-Elathur stretch of the National Highway 66 to be developed as the first safe zone in Kozhikode city limit. The 6-km stretch on the highway, which is one of the accident-prone routes, will have improved safety features on completion of the specific re-modifications under the multi-sectoral road safety international initiative being funded by the World Bank.

Kerala Road Safety Authority Executive Director K. Elangovan, who visited the spot on Sunday for checking the additional requirements and safety concerns, told The Hindu the Pavangad-Elathur stretch was one of the 10 proposed safe zones to be developed in Kerala with the cooperation of various government departments and local communities.

A sum of ₹10 crore would be spent for the 10 projects in the first phase, he said.

The safe zone project will mainly take a look at the present condition of major accidents spots and those already marked by the traffic police as black spots for a suitable intervention on the route.

Instead of any large-scale construction or road widening, the project will strive to achieve the target by considering some rearrangements and relocations in the existing facilities including the bus bays, shelters, zebra crossings and adopt practical measures to control the speed of vehicles.

International standards

“It will act as a safety corridor for the city reducing the chances of accidents at all possible levels. We will seek the cooperation of all the government departments, including the police and the Public Works department, as we try to implement it by maintaining international safety standards,” said Mr. Elangovan.

He also pointed out that safe zones would come up in all districts based on the suggestions from the District-level Road Safety Councils.

One of the novel plans under consideration of the Kerala Road Safety Authority is to mark an exclusive track for two-wheelers on the route.

The suggestion comes in the wake of the increasing number of motorbikes caught in freak accidents. The authority also hopes that it will discourage the trend of lane traffic violations and ensure better traffic discipline.

Intensive awareness campaigns for motorists on road safety measures too is part of the project.

To discuss the project details and finalise the blueprint, Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran will hold a meeting with the officers of the Kerala Road Safety Authority and the Motor Vehicles Department at the Government Guest House here on Monday.

The team will also visit the selected stretch and discuss the safety plans with the traffic police and PWD officials.