THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has decided to urgently implement the recommendations of the study reports aimed at reducing road accidents in the state. The decision was made in the wake of the series of road accidents in the state which resulted in the death of a total of 14 people.
The latest study in this regard was conducted last year by the Transportation Planning and Research Center (NATPAC) under the Department of Transport. The report highlighted that accidents frequently occur on 2,200 kilometres of 323 roads. Although NATPAC recommended that these stretches be rebuilt or road safety measures be implemented, the suggestions, like those in its previous reports, were ignored by the government. Earlier, IIT Palakkad had also conducted a study and submitted a report.
The government will examine these reports and immediately implement the necessary recommendations. A meeting of senior officials from the Motor Vehicle Department, Public Works, Road Safety Authority, National Highway Authority, Public Works National Highway Division, and the Police will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. in the office of Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar. Ahead of this, a meeting of MVD officials will be held today under the chairmanship of Transport Commissioner CH Nagaraju. The suggestions from this meeting will also be discussed tomorrow.
Road tax is collected, but government says it has no money
In 2019, NATPAC identified 75 accident-prone locations in the state and submitted a report to the Road Safety Authority. To make these areas accident-free, the Public Works Department prepared an estimate of Rs 108 crore. However, the Road Safety Authority informed that it does not have such a large amount to rebuild the roads. As a result, a list of 23 most accident-prone locations was prepared and an estimate of Rs 25 crore was prepared for them. However, due to the financial crisis, even this has been delayed.
Severe black spots
On National Highway- 227
On State Highway- 84
On other roads- 63
Total number of black spots in the state: 4592