Ernakulam-Cherthala NH to be a ‘model stretch’

Kochi: Soon you could see glowing signals and sign boards while travelling along the Ernakulam-Cherthala  stretch of NH-47.

In an effort to improve safety on its roads and grade separators, the NH-wing of the Public Works Department is developing the ten-km Aroor-Thuravur stretch  into a  ‘model highway’  by improving illumination, setting up direction boards in four languages and high mast lighting among others.

“The majority of the pedestrian mishaps take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Also  road  accidents  are  high during night. We’ll lit up the facilities like sign boards already set up to prevent accidents. Similarly,  the approach roads and ramps to grade separators will also be lit up. High mast lights are also being set up with the help of local authorities at  important junctions like Aroor,” said an official of the PWD (NH wing).

Another initiative is setting up direction and signal boards in four languages – Malayalam, English, Tamil and Hindi. “Usually such boards are set up only at border areas, however, we’re placing them on an experimental basis with the help of local police since a large number of tourists and Sabarimala pilgrims from neighbouring states travel through the highway,” the official said.

Last month, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had done  a vehicle survey along the NH-47 bypass section from Edapally to Aroor to explore the possibility of road widening and implementation of safety measures.