Andhra Pradesh Launches Major Urban Road Safety Drive Across 123 ULBs
During the first phase, municipal bodies have been instructed to prioritise arterial roads, high-density traffic corridors, school and hospital approaches, and major junctions.
Vijayawada: In a major push to improve urban traffic management and commuter safety, the Andhra Pradesh government has launched a state-wide initiative to implement standardised lane markings, kerb painting and scientific traffic signages across all 123 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) following directions from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
During the first phase, municipal bodies have been instructed to prioritise arterial roads, high-density traffic corridors, school and hospital approaches, and major junctions.
The programme was formally launched after Principal Secretary of the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department, S. Suresh Kumar, issued comprehensive directions to the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration (CDMA) and the Engineer-in-Chief of PHMED for immediate execution of the works using municipal general funds and road maintenance grants.
Under the initiative, all municipal bodies will undertake standardised centre and side lane markings, zebra crossings, stop lines, edge lines, black-and-yellow kerb painting, and installation of mandatory, cautionary and informative traffic signages. Authorities have also been directed to improve safety around schools, hospitals, markets and busy junctions while rectifying potholes, damaged kerbs and drainage defects before taking up marking works.
The MA&UD department has simultaneously issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) based on IRC:35, IRC:67 and IRC:SP:118-2018 standards. The SOP prescribes technical specifications, retro-reflective standards, quality control measures, traffic management protocols, inspection systems and mandatory geo-tagged photographic documentation before and after execution.
Naidu said urban infrastructure development should focus not only on road construction but also on safety, discipline, aesthetics and pedestrian convenience. He observed that properly marked roads and scientific signages are essential for reducing traffic confusion, improving visibility and ensuring safer urban mobility.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure visible transformation of major municipal roads, public corridors and junctions within a fixed timeframe while closely monitoring implementation at the field level.
Suresh Kumar said the initiative would establish a uniform and scientific urban road management system across Andhra Pradesh and significantly improve lane discipline, night-time visibility and overall urban aesthetics. He added that municipal commissioners and engineering officials had been directed to personally supervise the execution process and ensure strict adherence to prescribed standards.