Kerala Launches Round-the-Clock Highway Enforcement In Six Zones
The highway network will be apportioned into six stretches of around 100 kilometres each, with teams deployed around the clock throughout the week, the transport minister said. Two southern zones will be under the Deputy Transport Commissioner, Thiruvananthapuram; Ernakulam and Thrissur will host one central zone each; and two northern zones will fall under Kozhikode. Exact kilometre limits will be set by the respective Deputy Transport Commissioners.
Special enforcement squads will be formed from personnel of Enforcement RTOs, RTOs and Sub-RTOs, and each squad will include Motor Vehicle Inspectors, Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors, drivers and departmental vehicles fitted with enforcement equipment. Officials will be rotated across day, evening and night shifts to maintain continuous coverage without disrupting regular office work.
Squads will concentrate on overspeeding, dangerous and drunken driving, use of mobile phones while driving, non-use of helmets and seat belts, overloaded goods vehicles, illegal modifications and breaches of fitness certificates, permits, insurance and taxes, as well as unauthorised passenger transport. They will also respond to major accidents, coordinate with the police and the National Highways Authority of India to clear obstructing vehicles and identify accident-prone stretches for remedial action.
Rather than remaining stationary, teams will follow a mobile patrolling model with surprise inspections, joint drives with police and technology-based surveillance, including use of NHAI camera footage during holidays and festival seasons. Deputy Transport Commissioners have been directed to supervise operations, monitor deployment through GPS, hold weekly reviews and ensure uniforms, reflective jackets, body cameras and speed detection devices are used where available; lapses will be treated seriously.