The Kerala Road Safety Authority’s proposal to develop the Pavangad-Elathur stretch of National Highway 66 into the city’s first safe zone with improved safety measures for pedestrians is hanging in the balance even after the allocation of ₹10 crore for the much-hyped initiative.
The 6-km stretch still remains one of the most accident-prone routes within the city limits with a number of unscientifically located bus shelters, narrow pavements and faded zebra lines.
The Pavangad-Elathur stretch was one of the 10 such locations earlier identified by the Road Safety Authority in Kerala to complete the model initiative. There were promises to construct an exclusive track for two-wheelers, walkways for pedestrians, well-designed waiting shelters and scientifically marked zebra crossings and speed breakers in accident-prone locations.
Though the relocation of some of the existing bus shelters was included in the priority list, no work has been executed even after a year. The discussions held by the Road Safety Authority officials with other stakeholders including the police, Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and Revenue officials proved to be futile.
An MVD officer who was part of the supervision team said the project implementation had been entrusted with the Public Works Department on the basis of suggestions from the district-level Road Safety Council. He said the project execution was delayed with the Korappuzha bridge work and the subsequent traffic regulations on the route.