Speed limit applicable to panchayat roads as well; Sign boards to be installed

Alappuzha: The government has given instructions to make speed limit boards applicable to roads coming under the jurisdiction of local bodies. The speed limit on such roads would be below 70 kmph. The boards should be installed after consulting with the road safety authorities and taking into account the unique characteristics of each region.

The government had passed the order after deciding the speed limit from July 1 onwards but this was not made mandatory for roads coming under the jurisdiction of local bodies. There are many people who opt for local inroads to avoid the cameras and toll gates on the main roads. It is after considering this that the instructions were issued to local governing bodies including gram panchayats. 

On single lane national highways (NH), the speed limit for vehicles with up to nine seats is 110 kmph while on four lane NH, it is 100 kmph. On other four lane roads and state highways, the limit is 90 kmph, 80 kmph for district roads, other roads 70 kmph and 50 kmph on town roads.

Although the speed limits have been deciphered, the boards indicating this are absent in many places. There is also a general misconception that such limits are not applicable to local roads. The local bodies are required to install boards at their own expense.

If there are any electronic means installed to check speed limit, this should be indicated clearly on the road with sign boards. If the area is prone to rain or fog, speed limit should be accordingly set.