Funds for road safety remain unspent

Thiruvananthapuram:  A large portion of funds allocated for road safety were not spent during the last six years in Kerala while number traffic accidents in the State remained one of the highest in the country.

Various schemes were to be implemented by district safety councils in the district under the Road Safety Authority.  RTI documents show that the districts were lethargic in using the money allocated.

The Kottayam district was allocated a total of Rs. 16.15 lakhs between 2009-10 and 2011-12. However, 6.30 lakhs including interest accrued remained unspent at the end of 2015-16. There was no expenditure in 2013-14 and 2014-15 though more than Rs. 8.33 lakh was remaining unspent at the end of the previous year.

Similarly, Rs. 8.38 lakh allocated for various schemes remained unspent in Malappuram district at the end of 2015-16. In Pathanamthitta district, Rs. 3.15 lakh allocated for organising traffic safety week lapsed. About Rs. 30 lakh remained unspent in 2016 under various schemes.

The Thiruvananthapuram district did not spent Rs. 15 lakh allocated for Road Safety Week in 2011-12. At the end of 2015-16, it had spent a total of Rs. 23.49 lakhs over seven years while  Rs. 24.17 lakh remained to be spent.

Kannur district took several years to complete schemes. The district received Rs. 3 lakh in 2009, Rs. 3.15 lakh in 2010 and Rs. 10 lakh in 2011 for road safety activities and observation of road safety week. However, the district did not spend the money in the first two years. In 2011, it spent Rs. 13.75 lakh. However, it received Rs. 10.52 lakh the same year.  The amount was spent over the next three years.  Of Rs. 22 lakh received for implementing unique numbering system in 2015, only Rs. 9 lakh was spent (in 2016).

Similar was the case with Alappuzha district. It had received more than Rs. 16 lakh up to 2011-12. In 2012-13, it spent no money though the balance exceeded Rs. 10 lakh. In subsequent years, it managed to spend most of the money.

Thrissur district, however, used almost all of the money allocated to it by 2013-14. Only about Rs. 4200 was remaining in the account now. Kochi had a balance of Rs. 1.73 at the end of 2013-14 which was set apart for buying alco meters and still cameras for police and mobile enforcement squad and RTO.

Amount allocated to Motor Vehicles Department for Happy Sabarimala and Sabarimala Safe zone were refunded.

Around 40000 road accidents occur in the State every year and the toll had been generally on the increase according to figures available from 2001 (see chart). The data were obtained by Advocate D. B. Binu of Human Rights Defence Forum, Kochi.