Road safety measures remain a far cry at Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 13 2014 :
All the major roads of Imphal city and surrounding areas lack necessary road safety measures.
One PWD official told The Sangai Express that many precious lives have been lost in road accidents which were abetted by absence or lack of road safety measures.
Even though the State Government is keen to take up all necessary road safety measures, it is crippled by fund paucity.
On account of absence of road safety measures such as street lamps, highlights at the end of road dividers, road accidents occurred very frequently which also claimed many precious lives.
According to rules, necessary fund for taking up road safety measures should be included in the total fund sanctioned for development of roads.
The State Government should ensure that all road safety measures are taken up with the fund sanctioned by the Government of India for development of different urban roads, said the PWD official.
In spite of the financial constraints, the State Government has been planning to expand Uripok-Kangchup-Tamenglong road up to 30 metres and construct a greater Imphal ring road with financial investment from SASEC.
It is expected that the two road projects would reduce traffic congestion in Imphal city.
On the other hand, it appears that vast majority of the public lacks proper civic sense.
Breaking road medians at will against general rules is a common sight along many roads of the State.
"Burning over road surface is nothing but destruction of our own assets", said the official.
The tip of the road median which is very close to the end of BT Flyover bridge at Uripok is quite prone to accidents because there is no street lamp or danger triangular or lane signal LEDs.
Nonetheless, the matter would be considered very soon in order to take up all possible road safety measures, the official added.