NEW DELHI: Concerned over slow pace of work related to removal of speed breakers on National Highways, the Centre has asked all states to send details about removal of speed breakers and approval of location of rumble strips without further delay.
Reiterating the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) policy that speed breakers should not be constructed on National Highways, a letter to chief secretaries of all states said that these defeat the basic objective of providing an obstruction free high speed facility, apart from being a safety hazard.
“It should be noted that the issue of speed breakers and road safety factor associated with it has been raised in several public grievances, RTIs, Parliament questions. It is of great concern,” said the communication.
All the project zones and regional officers of the Ministry have been directed to coordinate with the implementing agencies and send consolidated reports on the position of removal of speed breakers and approval of location of rumble strips on National Highways without further delay.
The ministry further highlighted the existing provision of properly designed rumble strips at places like approaches to sharp curves on level crossings, congested or accident prone locations where control of speed on National Highway is unavoidable.
“It was also highlighted that rumble strips are being provided indiscriminately and thus directed that the location of such rumble strips shall be approved by Chief Engineer (National Highways)/appropriate authority who will satisfy himself of the requirement,” it added.
The ministry asked that a copy of such approval letters shall be endorsed to the respective Regional Officer of the Ministry. Transport ministry is working to take measures to reduce road accident deaths by 50 percent by 2020.
According to latest data, almost 5 lakh road accidents occurred in the country last year, killing 146,000 people and leaving thrice the number injured. There has been an increase of 2.5 percent in number of accidents over 2014.