Karwar: In light of the pre-monsoon rains and the likelihood of heavy rainfall in July, Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya has directed officials from the National Highways Authority and Public Works Department (PWD) to submit a detailed report on the structural stability of all bridges across the National and State Highways in the district.
Chairing the District Road Safety Committee meeting held at the DC office on Friday, Lakshmi Priya emphasized the importance of preventive measures to ensure safe travel along the highways during the monsoon season. She warned that in the event of any mishap, concerned officers would be held accountable.
She also instructed highway authorities to identify landslide-prone zones along highways and implement precautionary safety measures. These include installing warning signboards, appointing spotters to monitor vulnerable areas, conducting regular inspections, and changing traffic routes if required to prevent casualties.
The DC further directed that all road safety measures recommended by the police department be strictly implemented. These include the installation of speed breakers, caution boards, reflective warning signs for night-time visibility, and the placement of streetlights and high-mast lights in dark zones. Emergency equipment such as cranes, ambulances, and personnel must be kept ready to respond promptly in case of accidents or road obstructions.
Regional Transport Officers were instructed to intensify vehicle checks, especially to prevent the illegal transport of passengers in goods vehicles and to monitor the movement of overloaded trucks.
Referring to specific accident-prone zones, the DC directed that protective works near the Shirur landslide area be completed immediately and barricades be installed near Bargi to prevent mishaps. She also ordered the installation of high-mast lighting near the Kumta-Sirsi road and streetlights under the Karwar flyover.
She further called for a review of all road accident cases that occurred in the past two years. Officials were directed to identify causes of accidents and prepare action plans for necessary corrective measures. Lakshmi Priya emphasized that implementing road safety measures effectively across the district must be prioritized to reduce accident cases.
The meeting also reviewed pending highway works, including the Ramanagara–Unmod road project, and held detailed discussions on addressing accident-prone "black spots."
The meeting was attended by Superintendent of Police M. Narayan, Assistant Commissioner Kanishka, PWD Executive Engineer Chandrashekhar, officials from the National Highways Authority, and representatives from various departments.