Single-lane Roads to be Made Double in 3 Years.

There will be no single-lane road in the state after three years, if the state government’s plans to make all single-lane roads into double roads materialise.

According to sources, the roads and buildings department planned to convert around 13,000 km single-lane roads into double-lane roads in the state. “The total length of the state roads is around 27,000 km. Out of which 50 per cent are single-lane roads. All these roads will be made double lane roads in the next three years,” official sources said.

The R&B department is planning to spend Rs. 10,000 crore in the next three years for construction of new roads, renewals and for construction of road over bridges (ROBs) and road under bridges (RUBs) in the state.

HELMET COMPULSORY: The R&B officials are also planning a massive campaign to create awareness among the public to wear helmet. “Wearing helmet is compulsory and it will be given wide publicity through rallies,” official sources said.

According to estimates, around 7,000 road accidents are taking place every year in the state. Causalities are occurring when the two-wheeler riders do not wear helmet.

The department has also decided to accord priority for road safety and is identifying black spots, curves and weak spots to reduce accidents.

During renovation and construction of new roads, these problems will be addressed, sources said.

Officials also informed that the Central government has recently sanctioned Rs. 1,300 crore for construction of roads in the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) areas.

MORE SHE CABS: More She Cabs would be introduced in the city in addition to the existing 14 cabs, official sources said. All the taxies will be linked up with a centralised data system and a number would be given. “When a caller wanted a cab, the nearest Cab will go, a practice currently in use for 108 ambulance service,” sources said.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS