New signals, zebra crossings to curb mishaps in Kochi

Kochi: In the wake of rising mishaps, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated a series of safety measures, including setting up of new traffic signals and zebra crossings, to reduce rising mishaps in the 17 km long Edapally-Aroor stretch, the busiest in the state. “We’re setting up traffic signals to be deployed on blinker mode at every median opening. One of the major reasons for mishaps is careless driving and speeding by vehicles at these stretches where other vehicles are attempting to enter the lanes. The blinkers will warn the drivers and can be seen from a distance,” said a senior NHAI official.

The warning signals will also be placed at the interior lane entry points from the highway. In the wake of a mishap at Vytilla a couple of months back, the NHAI also decided to mark six pedestrian crossings in the stretch. The first seven months in 2016 recorded a total of 83 accidents claiming six lives and injuring 76 people in four major junctions – Kundanoor, Vytilla, Palarivattom and Edapally alone, forcing the Kochi Traffic Police to implement a major traffic control measure at Vytilla, the busiest junction across the state in terms of vehicle density.

Meanwhile, the authorities have initiated re-tarring of the entire 17-km stretch. “The re-tarring has been completed till Palarivattom (one side from Edapally). We’re also renovating the service roads. Once the work is finished the entire section will have safety signals like road studs, arrows and lane destinations and stop and give way markings among others.