Chamarajanagar DC cracks the whip on safety measures on National Highways, other roads in the district

Cracking the whip on the delay in implementation of safety measures on the national highways in the district, Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag has directed the officials to take necessary steps at the identified black spots and submit a report with photographic evidence within 15 days.

Presiding over a district-level road safety committee meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Chamarajanagar on Tuesday, Ms. Nag said the black spots on the national highways in the district had already been identified and the required measures to be taken had already been explained to the officials.

She regretted the tendency to delay the implementation of safety measures.

While instructing the officials, Ms. Nag pointed out that proper signboards and signal lights had not been installed at junctions on the highways. Due to these lapses, vehicle users are confused, leading to accidents, she said. The DC directed the officials of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Public Works Department to visit the locations and immediately implement the required safety measures at such places. They should ensure that no mishaps occur.

Sign boards guiding vehicle users should be installed along with speed breakers, rumble strips, and road dividers. “There should be proper lighting arrangements at junction roads. Blinkers and other necessary road safety measures should be in place at the earliest,” she said.

In urban areas, the City Municipal Councils, Town Municipal Councils and Town Panchayats should undertake necessary works to ensure smooth traffic flow and vehicle parking arrangements. Signboards should be installed on routes with heavy traffic. Parking spots should be identified and marked. The Urban Development Cell, Municipal Commissioners and Chief Officers should inspect the locations and take immediate action, the DC said.

During the meeting, Superintendent of Police B.T. Kavitha said the police department had submitted a detailed report on the works that needed to be completed to ensure road safety. “To prevent further accidents and untoward incidents, the NHAI and other departments should act immediately,” she said, offering necessary guidance by the police department.

Officials from NHAI, Public Works, PWD Highway Division, Chamarajanagar district urban development cell, and Transport Department were present at the meeting.