The Kerala Road Safety Authority (KRSA) and the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) are preparing to launch a Safe Zone project aimed at making over 400 km of vulnerable roads leading to Pampa accident-free during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
From November 16 to January 20 next year, 15 squads of the MVD, each headed by a Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) and having two AMVIs, will patrol the roads spread over Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts round the clock.
The vehicles are to be equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) to provide feed to the control room, and for rescue and relief operations in case of breakdown of vehicle or an accident. Speed radars and cameras will be provided in these vehicle to keep a tab on speeding vehicles.
“Within five minutes of a distress call or alert, the patrol vehicles will reach the spot to render assistance,” Joint Transport Commissioner, Enforcement, Rajeev Puthalath told The Hindu on Tuesday.
All class of vehicles bringing devotees to Pampa and Erumely could be tracked from the main control room at Elavumkal, near Nilackal, and two other sub-control rooms at Erumely and Murinjupura, near Kuttikanam.
Connectivity
The BSNL has provided 3G and 4G connectivity for the mobiles of MVD officials.
Three ambulances and a trauma care unit will be set up at the main control room at Elavumkal. At the main control room, a 50-member squad of 35 major vehicle manufacturers will be stationed with vans and spare parts to tackle any crisis.
In addition to recovery vehicles and cranes, a tyre inflating service unit that could handle vehicles up to 40 tonnes will also be stationed.
The State government has provided ₹69 lakh for the Safe Zone project this year. Anil Kant, Road Safety Commissioner, who is also the State Transport Commisioner, has written to the Transport Commissioner and Transport Secretaries of other States to advice the devotees to use vehicles in good condition and experienced drivers for the pilgrimage and to avoid goods carriers, two-wheelers and autorickshaws. “We have asked them to give wide publicity to this and stop vehicles at their check posts itself,” Mr. Puthalath said.