HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT

ANNUAL STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP


Key Points raised at the Interaction Session
 
1. Reporter - Hindu:

  • More media may be invited for this kind of workshop.
    Media persons were already invited and in future additional care may be taken.

2. Mr. Afzal of Parveen Travels, President of Tamil Nadu Omnibus Operators Association

  • Accidents are frequently happening in the major trunk roads.

  • Provision for barricading may be incorporated in major trunk roads like in other states.

  • Road Safety campaigns for the rural public should be undertaken

    The Project Director clarified that Road Safety campaigns through NGOs on pilot basis will be carried out in TNRSP upgradation roads covering Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts shortly.
     

  • Various departmental coordination is essential since after improvements of roads, the roads are frequently cut/damaged by the various other departments like Electricity Board, Telephones, TWAD Board etc

    The Secretary explained that a Committee comprising members from TWAD, TNEB, Telephone Department has been established in the major improvement of roads to avoid such conflicts. In IT corridor, provision for ducts has already been included to take care of various service utilities. Similarly there is a proposal for six laning the Coimbatore - Avinashi road in which provision for ducting, barricading in the form of medians will be taken in to account during DPR stage itself.
     

  • Toll fees in addition to Road Tax are collected and the toll is quite high and this may be reduced.

    Toll is not in the purview of the State Govt. regarding road tax, you may approach the appropriate authorities. Govt. will also try to consider the issue.
     
3 Mr. Subramanian, President, Automobile Association of South India.
  • Accidents are frequently happening in the major junctions for which speed rumblers may be provided.
  • Caution signage may be provided at the junctions.
  • Provision for pedestrian and cyclist crossing may be considered in the junction areas.
  • Provision for subway for pedestrian at major junctions may be considered.
  • Separate lay bys may be considered to park the breakdown vehicles in the major trunk roads.
  • Wherever accident occur, immediate mechanism may be evolved to rectify the defects which cause the accidents say within a fortnight.
  The Secretary responded that these valuable suggestions would be taken into account while designing the schemes.