Take precautionary measures to prevent accidents during monsoon: DC Somashekhar
Deputy Commissioner (DC) S.J. Somashekhar has directed officials to take all necessary measures to€ prevent road accidents during the rainy season and ensure the smooth movement of traffic.
He was presiding over the District Road Safety Committee meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Madikeri recently.
The DC instructed officials to identify accident-prone zones in the district and implement suitable road safety measures in such locations. He directed that traffic signs and road-marking boards be installed on roads where accidents frequently occur and that safety measures, including barricades, be provided wherever necessary to ensure adherence to traffic rules.
The meeting reviewed the decisions taken during the previous District Road Safety Committee meeting and the action taken by various departments for their implementation.
Assistant Engineer of the National Highway Sub-Division M. Hanumantha informed the meeting that warning boards would be installed along the Sampaje-Kushalnagar National Highway.
DC Somashekhar directed that details regarding the date of installation and geo-coordinates of the existing warning boards be documented and instructed the National Highways and Police Departments to jointly identify critical locations and take appropriate measures to enhance road safety.
It was observed during the meeting that tourist vehicles parked on both sides of the road near Bhadrakali Temple on the Madikeri-Kushalnagar National Highway create difficulties for motorists negotiating the curve because of the narrow width of the road. Officials of the National Highways Department requested the installation of ‘No Parking’ boards on both sides of the stretch to prevent indiscriminate parking.
Referring to the Madikeri-Katakeri road, which has several accident-prone zones, the Deputy Commissioner advised the concerned officials to install cat-eye reflectors and white radium stickers to improve visibility and ensure the safety of motorists.
Public Works Department Executive Engineer K.T. Prabhu informed the meeting that, owing to increasing traffic congestion and accidents in Gonikoppa town, a one-way traffic system has been introduced on the main road. Certain restrictions have also been imposed on vehicle parking on the Palibetta Road, and temporary arrangements have been made for parking for a period of three months.
Regarding traffic management in Virajpet town, he said that two-way traffic has been introduced from Moornadu Junction to Doddatti Chowki and parking has been prohibited to facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles between Gonikoppa and Madikeri. Similarly, two-way traffic has been allowed from Clock Tower to Badriya Junction, with parking restrictions imposed for a temporary period of three months to ensure free movement of vehicles.
Superintendent of Police R.N. Bindumani pointed out that tourist vehicles parked on both sides of Aranya Bhavan Road in Madikeri city are causing traffic problems and directed the concerned authorities to take appropriate action.
She also noted that several radium stickers installed on roads have become old and instructed officials to either replace or clean them.
Regional Transport Officer S.T. Satish informed the meeting that grants are available under the Transport Welfare Development and Road Safety Scheme and said that priority could be accorded to road safety measures wherever required.
Deputy Conservator of Forests V.G. Sunil, District Road Safety Committee members V.B. Sajith, K. Satyanarayan, Dr K.M. Satish Kumar, Ramchand Darshan, D.M. Girish and others were present.
