Kochi: The Motor Vehicle Department would replicate the ‘Third Eye’ programme involving students and public in other districts after its successful implementation in Ernakulam district. “The department is considering the same following a direction from the transport minister. It would be a significant step in implementing traffic and road safety rules especially when the MVD is facing staff shortage,” said transport commissioner Tomin J. Thachankary. He was speaking at the concluding function of the ‘Third Eye’ programme implemented with the help of CUSAT students.
As per the programme launched on November 4 last year, the student volunteers took photos of traffic violations by monitoring the roads and the MVD initiated action against the offenders with that as the proof. A total of 303 traffic offences were detected and the offenders penalised in the last two months at 13 arterial roads of the city.
Transport minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan noted that such initiatives are the need of the hour in the wake of rising road mishaps. Justice (retd) K. S. Radhakrishnan, who heads the SC-appointed panel on road safety, said the committee would recommend implementation of the programme in other states as well. “The panel will direct the NHAI to identify danger spots and take rectification measures,” he said.
