THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) it seems didn’t look in the rule book when they constructed the drain along the NH bypass road at Kazhakoottam.
The open eight feet deep drain, which has been constructed between the main stretch and the service road in front of Technopark, has neither any signboards warning of the danger it presents nor any reflectors.
This is a densely populated area and hence accidents have become an usual affair, especially in the night. Absence of streetlights have further compounded the problem. Though some techies approached the police regarding controlling traffic in the area, they were told it is the responsibility of NHAI to install signages. The cops washed their hands off.
A techie said three days ago his colleague fell into the drain while he was walking beside it in the night. In an another incident, a motorist, who stopped his vehicle near the drain, fell into it when he stepped out of the vehicle.
“The drain poses a serious threat to the motorists and pedestrians, especially in the night. The construction of the drain began a month ago, but the authorities are yet to install signages here. Slabs have been placed on the drain at two or three places so as to allow people to reach the service road. It is learnt that the drains will be covered very soon, but we can’t wait till they do so.
We have decided to approach NHAI,” said Rajeev Krishnan, secretary, Prathidhwani, an NGO based in Technopark.
B G Sreedevi, National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) director, said she will ask NHAI to install sufficient warning sign boards beside the drains, since it is clear that they have violated the guidelines of Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.
As per the new norms formulated by the Indian Roads Congress for NH development, Road Safety Audit (RSA) has to be carried out during all stages of road development from planning, design, construction, to operation.
The roads should have 12-metre-wide medians with W-beam metal crash barrier at the edges, segregation of traffic, footpaths with railings, bus bays, adequately illuminated foot overbridges and underpasses and markings. To make the roads safer, retroreflective signages and markings should also be placed wherever it is required.
A seven-metre wide service road with safety fence and railings has to be constructed for all multi-lane highways to segregate local traffic. A minimum illumination of 40 lux has been recommended for underpasses and foot overbridges on multi-lane highways.
The state and the Centre have to provide adequate safety measures for the pedestrians and motorists to reduce the number of accidents, the guideliens say.
When 'Express’ contacted NHAI, the officials said they have not violated any guidelines and the drain is being constructed in strict adherence to safety norms. “We have installed signboards. The motorists and pedestrians might have overlooked them. Moreover, the process of covering the drains is also underway. However, if we find any shortfalls on the contractor’s part, we will definitely look into the issue,” said a top official.