Thiruvananthapuram, 20 September (H.S.): The Kerala Road Safety Authority has sanctioned Rs 13.88 crore for a series of special projects to improve safety along major Sabarimala pilgrimage routes, Transport Minister C P John said.

The works will be completed ahead of the pilgrimage season to facilitate safer and smoother travel for lakhs of devotees, including those arriving from other states.

The Public Works Department (PWD) has been entrusted with implementing the projects. Of the total allocation, Rs 13.19 crore has been sanctioned from the Road Safety Fund for 60 works proposed by the Chief Engineer of the PWD Roads Division. Another Rs 69.79 lakh has been approved for projects recommended by the Pathanamthitta District Road Safety Council.

A major component of the project is the installation of W-beam metal crash barriers at dangerous curves and road stretches bordering steep slopes. The barriers are expected to reduce the severity of accidents and prevent vehicles from plunging into deep areas.

Several measures will also be introduced to improve visibility during night-time travel. These include prismatic road studs, thermoplastic lane markings, reflective intensity tapes, object hazard markers and chevron signs indicating sharp curves.

Solar-powered traffic signals and warning blinkers will be installed at important junctions. Direction boards, convex mirrors and accident-warning systems will also be erected at vulnerable points to assist motorists and regulate traffic.

The project further includes essential road maintenance and surface drainage works to prevent waterlogging and deterioration of carriageways during the pilgrimage season.

The safety measures will cover Sabarimala routes falling under five PWD divisions - Idukki, Kollam, Kottayam, Moovattupuzha and Pathanamthitta. Roads under the Ponkunnam and Kottarakkara divisions of the Kerala State Transport Project will also be included.

John said the government had directed officials to complete all urgent works before the pilgrimage season. Timely implementation of the projects would considerably improve road safety and ease the movement of pilgrims and other travellers, he added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman