BENGALURU: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has intensified its exercise in mission mode to increase the number of Advanced Camera Location Systems (ACLS) on all stretches under its jurisdiction.
The officials identified vulnerable locations and stretches where maximum accidents have occurred. They said that the future course of action will be decided using this data.
Vilas P Brahmankar, Regional Officer of NHAI, Karnataka, told TNIE, “80 cameras are installed along the access-controlled roads. We have decided to install more within one and a half years along the other old stretches.”
The NHAI undertook the exercise by dividing the road stretches into three categories: first, where road works are ongoing, second, where road works were completed 1-2 years ago and third, where the roads were completed 5-10 years ago.
Stretches are being prioritised based on the Passenger Car Per Unit (PCU), the number of accidents in the last couple of years and the ongoing local activities. The officials said there is no dearth of funds for the installation of cameras.
The NHAI is also working on increasing the number of patrol vehicles, particularly at night. There are no black spots (accident spots), but there are stretches where accidents can occur, like sharp turnings or where people cross or openings on access control roads, a source told.
“We are now working towards making all highway roads access-controlled to reduce the causes of accidents.
Also, with the revised speed limit on such stretches from 80 km/h to 100 km/h, increasing the number of cameras is required for better surveillance,” the official said.
“In most cases, it has been seen that drivers are reckless. A speed of 100kmph does not mean people drive at that speed. Ideally, speed should not go beyond 80 km/h. Provision of good roads is a mandate of the NHAI, but it is not a reason for reckless driving. We are also open to suggestions from stakeholders,” the official said.