T’puram: Transport minister C P John said that Kerala Road Safety Authority has approved special road safety projects worth Rs 14.5 crore to ensure safer road travel during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season.The safety measures will be implemented on pilgrimage routes under five PWD divisions — Idukki, Kollam, Kottayam, Muvattupuzha, and Pathanamthitta — as well as the Ponkunnam and Kottarakkara divisions under Kerala State Transport Project divisions.“To reduce accidents at sharp bends and gorge-side stretches, W-beam metal crash barriers meeting safety standards will be installed along the roads. To improve night-time travel safety, the works will also include prismatic road studs, thermoplastic line markings, intensity tapes, object hazard markers, and chevron curve indicators. Solar signal systems and solar blinkers will be set up at major junctions, along with signboards, convex mirrors, and accident warning systems. The project will also cover related road repairs and the construction of surface drainage systems,” the minister said.He added that these urgently implemented measures are intended to guarantee smooth and accident-free travel for both pilgrims and the public.John said that completing the urgent works before the pilgrimage season begins will help ensure safe travel for the lakhs of pilgrims, including those arriving from other states.
