Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna on Tuesday announced that the Chief Minister’s Road Safety Mission will be launched at a cost of ₹500 crore per annum in six to eight months to reduce deaths due to road accidents. Tamil Nadu topped the list of States in road accidents in the country, he said.
Speaking during the debate on the demands for the Highways Department in the Assembly, the Minister said ANPR cameras that would be able to read the speed of vehicles and their registration number would be installed along all State and National Highways.
Kerala had a system whereby over-speeding vehicles and motorists violating traffic rules were caught on camera and issued challans, he said. “They have been able to considerably cut down fatal accidents with this system. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is particular that the safety mission be launched. It will help condition our motorists to drive safely and follow the rules,” he added.
Mr. Arjuna also announced that under the Corridor Accident Response and Emergency programme, 25 government hospitals and primary health centres will be upgraded into emergency response centres. A total of 25 accident-prone locations had been chosen for monitoring, and would be linked to upgraded medical facilities. Ambulances with doctors and life-saving equipment would be provided. A land acquisition wing would be formed under the Highways Department to ensure speedy acquisition of land for projects, he said.
Published – August 19, 2026 12:11 am IST
