School zones with road signage, pedestrian guard railings, road markings and other features to ensure safety of children will come up in front of 115 schools spread over 15 road divisions in the State.
The Kerala Road Safety Authority (KRSA) has approved a project mooted by the Road Safety Cell of the Public Works Department (PWD), a KSRA official told The Hindu. The PWD had asked executive engineers of the 15 road divisions to prepare estimates for the work.
Effective measure
A 100-metre school zone in front of schools has been found to be effective in ensuring road discipline and channelising students to footpaths to reach the institution. With the students avoiding the carriageway, vehicles can move along the stretch at the designated speed limit.
A Motor Vehicles Department official said the concept had been well received by the students and teachers, especially in educational institutions near national highways and State highways. Road users had also welcomed the initiative. It had also been found that police and traffic wardens could effectively regulate traffic during morning and evening.
The 115 schools shortlisted did not have adequate signages and road markings . Each road division had shortlisted six schools to set up the school zone.
A sum of Rs.24 lakh would be needed in each road division for the work. The PWD had estimated that Rs.3.60 crore would be needed to execute the works.
In addition, improvement of 25 school zones spread over 15 road divisions would also be taken up. A sum of Rs.4 lakh to Rs.20 lakh would be needed for the improvement works. The total cost of the project had been put at Rs.1 crore.
Crash barriers
Along with this, crash barriers would be set up in the Kottayam, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Idukki and Wayanad road divisions. The PWD had estimated that the works would cost Rs. 4 crore.
The spots were mainly in the hill and ghat sections, the official said.
