Kochi: Illegal barricades on National Highway pose threat to motorists

KOCHI: Road safety experts have raised serious concerns over the barricades with advertisements erected along NH bypass from Edappally to Vyttila. The barricades along medians are erected in violation of MVD Act and Indian Road Congress specifications. The structures which project onto the carriageway will result in road mishaps, experts point out. "As per the Indian Road Congress code of practice, barricades have been given clear border line and should be placed one metre away from the carriageway. Otherwise, the side and mirror of vehicles will hit the edge of the structure. Here, the physical projection of barricades causing accidents is a criminal offence. The National Highway Authority of India is equally responsible for the violation," said a road safety expert, who has recently submitted a complaint to the City Police Commissioner seeking immediate intervention.

The IRC code of practice specifies that size of advertisements in barricades should take only 15 per cent of space while 85 per cent space should be for displaying road safety messages. But, here, only very small space is given for road safety messages and the remaining space is given for big advertisements. "Police have no right to erect barricades with advertisements. If they are concerned with the safety of motorists and pedestrians in the high vulnerable accident areas, they should request the agency concerned to erect barricades with proper specifications. Instead of decreasing the accident rate, these structures will cause more mishaps," observed the expert. Meanwhile, the police authorities are yet to respond to the City Corporation's notice for removing the structures. The local body and police are at loggerheads over the unauthorised erection of barricades.