Supreme Court issues directions to state governments on road safety measures

PUNE: The Supreme Court committee on road safety, during various meetings, has issued direction to various state governments for implementation of road safety measures including engineering measures. It wants to give more focus on road safety works including giving it top priority.
Measures to manage traffic, identify locations, stretches, intersections where needed are to be given top priority.These measures need to be adopted on an urgent basis.Crash barriers to identify the sensitive spots, stretches, hilly roads, near water bodies and to conduct a gap analysis for the requirement of crash barriers. The work of erecting crash barrier should be executed on top priority. The crash barrier needs to be properly maintained and in case of their damages, replacement repairs to be carried out latest within 7 days of detect.
Repairing, rehabilitation and reconstruction of dilapidated and narrow bridges should be taken up. During various meetings, it has already been directed to all the concerned to hold the meeting with state PWD chief engineer, field engineers so as to finalise the proposal of improvement of such distressed bridges which require immediate attention.
The proposal of their rehabilitation, repair may be incorporated in the annual plan for the year 2019-20, so that the same could be taken up on priority basis so as to avoid any unwanted incident. It is further, advised that road safety audit of all the National Highways may be carried out and follow up action may also be taken up for implementation of the road safety audit recommendations appropriately.
Maintenance of National Highways: All the National Highways are to be maintained properly so as to keep them in traffic worthy condition. Necessary action is to be taken keeping in view the provisions in IRC guidelines and safety of road users.
Highway Patrolling: Highways patrolling must be ensured on the stretches of the National Highways which are implemented keeping in view the provision of contract agreement. Measures should also be taken to remove any poles, obstacles, parked vehicles etc. which can be a cause of accident on NH stretches. Coordination with the traffic enforcement agencies of the state government for removal of parked vehicles etc. on the National Highways to facilitate smooth movement of traffic must be ensured. Safety during construction all the executing agencies are requested to ensure safety provisions for highways during construction. It is time to implement the various codes and guidelines issued by the ministry of road transport and highways, so as to minimize the accidents on National Highways.