Besides maintaining roads in a scientific manner ensuring smooth movement of vehicles and people, officials should ensure all goods vehicles operating in the district are fitted with speed governors limiting their speed to 60 kmph, Udupi Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa said on Monday.

Chairing a District Road Safety Committee meeting at Rajatadri, the district administration office complex in Manipal, Ms. Swaroopa said goods vehicles with six or more wheels should compulsorily be equipped with speed governors. Directing officials from the Transport Department for stricter implementation of the rule, the DC told them to keep a continuous check on its compliance.

Ms. Swaroopa also directed officials concerned to take stringent measures to prevent spilling of ready-mix concrete from RMC vehicles, sand and crushed stones from tipper trucks and unsafe practices by goods vehicle operators. Adequate checks should be implemented, to prevent negligent and high-speed driving, she said.

Expressing displeasure over the non-compliance with its earlier direction to install doors on all buses, including private buses and those operated by Road Transport Corporations, Ms. Swaroopa directed the Transport Department to submit a report within two weeks on the action taken against operators who had failed to install doors. Sufficient time had been given to operators to comply with the direction in the interest of passenger safety, she said.

The DC directed the Regional Transport Officer to renew fitness certificates to buses only if they are installed with doors. Though directions were issued to bus operators to keep trash bins inside vehicles as passengers often throw waste on roads, its implementation was wanting. Strict enforcement should be done in this regard.

If buses halt at non-designated places to pick /drop passengers, thereby endangering public safety, immediate action should be taken against the operators.

The DC also directed urban local bodies not to allow parking of vehicles in congested areas. They should also remove unauthorised roadside stalls, fast food outlets, push carts, and petty shops. The local bodies should identify vending zones to make alternative arrangements for these hawkers, she said.

Ms. Swaroopa said corrective measures to ensure safety of vehicles and people at the already identified 18 black spots along the highways in the district. Additional safety measures, if necessary, should be taken, she said.

Senior officials from various departments concerned attended the meeting.