NHAI Installs Streetlights on Kochi’s Container Road, Confirms Union Minister

Rapid summary

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed installing streetlights adhering to Indian roads Congress (IRC) norms on the accident-prone Container Road (NH 966-A).
• Power connectivity for the streetlights from Kerala State Electricity board (KSEB) is expected by July 31.
• ₹90.02 crore was spent on renovating the NH corridor,including constructing service roads at Mulavukad.
• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, responded to questions from MP Hibi Eden regarding this project in the Lok Sabha.
• Safety concerns prompted this initiative after NHAI had initially suggested that local bodies handle streetlight installation.
• A campaign titled ‘No Light, No Toll’ brought additional attention to the matter.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The completion of streetlight installation along Container Road underlines a significant step toward ensuring road safety in one of India’s accident-prone areas. By adhering to IRC norms and addressing long-standing hazards, this move prioritizes both infrastructure growth and public safety.However, delays until KSEB provides power connectivity suggest that infrastructural improvements require synchronized efforts among various agencies.

The decision marks a resolution of duty issues between local authorities and NHAI-possibly setting a precedent for similar scenarios elsewhere in India.The ₹90.02 crore expenditure reflects substantial investment but also highlights the economic burden of retrofitting essential safety measures rather than incorporating them from project inception.This initiative could serve as an actionable lesson where collaboration among stakeholders delivers tangible benefits for road users while simultaneously demonstrating accountability through campaigns like ‘No Light, No Toll.’

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