Thrissur road accident: State must ensure road safety amid recurring incidents on NH, says Kerala minister

The Kerala government will take measures to ensure road safety in the state, especially amid recurring accidents on National Highway 66, where construction of the four-lane stretch has entered its final phase, Public Works Minister PK Basheer said here on Saturday (September 5, 2026).

The minister said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been instructed to find a permanent solution to speeding, poor lighting, unscientific traffic measures and inadequate safety systems and ensure that all road safety measures are put in place before opening the road.

Referring to the latest accidents on state highways in which vehicles collided with parked vehicles, the Minister said unscientific parking would not be allowed and the police had been instructed to initiate strict action against illegal and unscientific parking.

Stating that the government was taking Friday’s accident at Kaipamangalam in Thrissur and the recent accidents at Thiruvananthapuram bypass seriously, Mr. Basheer said the matter would be brought to the notice of NHAI and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and all necessary safety measures would be taken immediately.

The construction of the national highway in the state is nearing completion, with major flyovers and bridges already completed. The minister said that all safety measures including cameras and speed detectors to curb speeding, adequate lighting, scientific traffic management and properly designed service roads should be implemented before the highway opens.

According to him, the safety of local residents and motorists will be a priority, with the fact that the safety systems should be operational together with the completion of the construction. The minister also reminded officials and contractors that it is their duty to ensure public safety at construction sites. Proper barricades, warning boards and clearly visible security systems for night time should be installed. At the same time, he urged drivers to be extremely careful when driving through construction zones.

Published – 05 Sep 2026 20:35 IST