Kerala Launches 24x7 Highway Enforcement to Curb Overspeeding

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Tuesday announced a round-the-clock enforcement mechanism on national highways by dividing the state into six enforcement zones to curb overspeeding, road accidents and traffic violations.

The decision comes two days after a private bus travelling on the Kozhikode-Thrissur route overturned on National Highway 66 near Kuttipuram in Malappuram district, allegedly due to overspeeding, killing one person and injuring 26 others.

The national highway network passing through the state will be divided into six stretches of around 100 km each, with dedicated enforcement teams deployed round the clock in every zone throughout the week, Transport Minister C P John said in a statement.

The six zones will comprise two southern zones under the Deputy Transport Commissioner, Thiruvananthapuram, one central zone each under the Deputy Transport Commissioners of Ernakulam and Thrissur, and two northern zones under the Deputy Transport Commissioner, Kozhikode.

The exact kilometre limits of each zone will be determined by the respective Deputy Transport Commissioners, he said.

Special enforcement squads will be formed by drawing personnel from Enforcement RTOs, RTOs and Sub-RTOs.

Each squad will comprise Motor Vehicle Inspectors, Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors, drivers and departmental vehicles equipped with the necessary enforcement equipment.

John said officials would be deployed on a rotational basis, with day, evening and night shifts distributed evenly without affecting regular office functioning.

He said the initiative was aimed at curbing overspeeding - identified as a major cause of road accidents - reducing fatalities, detecting traffic violations and enhancing the visible presence of the Motor Vehicles Department's enforcement teams on highways.

The squads will primarily focus on overspeeding, dangerous driving, drunken driving, use of mobile phones while driving, non-use of helmets and seat belts, overloaded goods vehicles, illegal vehicle modifications, violations related to fitness certificates, permits, insurance and taxes, and unauthorised passenger transport.

The minister said the teams would also respond promptly to major accidents, coordinate with the police and the National Highways Authority of India to remove accident-hit or obstructing vehicles, and identify accident-prone stretches for remedial measures.

Instead of remaining stationed at a single location, the enforcement teams will adopt a mobile patrolling model with continuous movement along the highways.

Surprise inspections, joint drives with the police whenever required, technology-based surveillance using cameras and other digital enforcement tools, action based on NHAI camera footage, and intensified monitoring during holidays and festival seasons will also be undertaken.

Deputy Transport Commissioners have been directed to supervise enforcement activities in their respective zones, conduct surprise inspections, monitor personnel deployment through GPS, review daily operations, ensure enhanced checks at accident-prone locations, hold weekly review meetings with RTOs and enforcement officials, and coordinate with district police chiefs, the NHAI and the Public Works Department.

The minister said the use of uniforms and reflective safety jackets had been made mandatory during inspections. Body cameras, speed detection devices and digital enforcement systems would be used wherever available.

John warned that any lapse in the formation of enforcement squads, duty scheduling, continuous deployment or supervision would be viewed seriously.