Move to curb mishaps on ‘killer’ NH 17 stretch

Panel to submit report to Road Safety Authority

May 24, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:53 am IST - KOCHI

: In view of the rising number of accidents on National Highway-17 between Varappuzha and Moothakunnam, the authorities have decided to implement the recommendations of a road safety audit conducted by the Motor Vehicles Department in March 2014. 

A high level meeting convened by the Paravur MLA V.D. Satheesan and attended by District Collector M.G. Rajamanickam and other agencies including the MVD and the police here on Saturday entrusted a five-member technical committee to update its recommendations and submit a report to the Kerala Road Safety Authority within 10 days.

The move comes in the wake of an assurance by the district collector to implement its proposals with financial assistance from the KRSA.

Some of the key recommendations in the report include installation of reflective studs along the entire stretch, establishment of junction - specific driver alerting system and sign boards etc. Alongside, the committee has also been directed to study the feasibility of a round - about traffic system in Paravur municipality. 

“Steps are also in place to open a traffic unit comprising 10 policemen and a sub-inspector within 15 days, which will be strengthened further by adding 10 more Home Guards. To enhance the surveillance of vehicles, 42 CCTV cameras will be installed at different locations with the assistance of various residents’ associations’’, the MLA said. 

Steps will also be initiated to expedite land acquisition of land for development of key junctions and establish high mast lights and foot –over bridges at several other locations to ensure safety of both motorists as well as pedestrians.

Meanwhile, the Union Government has allocated Rs.30 crore under its annual plan outlay to develop the NH in 30 metres between Moothakunnam and Munambam Junction. To widen the remaining portion of the road up to Varappuzha, the authorities have submitted a proposal for Rs, 120 crore to the State government.

Accident deaths

 The meeting, held at the Paravur municipal office, was convened in the wake of four accident deaths in the region over the past one week.

As per statistics available with the authorities, about 192 major accidents were reported along the stretch during 2014-15, in which 15 people lost their lives.

According to MVD officials, the number of non-fatal accidents is even higher as most of them occur during night hours and often go unreported. They attributed the rising number of accidents in the stretch to the lack of width in several portions, in addition to sharp, blind curves and unexpected hazards.

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