Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 22: Karnataka Bank has extended support to a model scheme of providing protective wall with plants in between for a stretch of 3.1 km from KPT on national highway 66 till the Pumpwell flyover. This will contribute immensely to the beautification of the city and also to regulate accidents.

Almost 75 percent of the accidents on this stretch happen when crossing the road. The highway here accounts for over 20 deaths each year. The beautification-cum-safety drive aims at stopping the people from crossing the highway at will and thereby reduce the risk of deaths. The scheme involving a sum of Rs 1.1 crore will be inaugurated soon.

When planting the saplings on the divider, preference has been given to oxygen generating hard variety plants. Palm trees have been planted in between colourful plants. Karnataka Bank managing director Mahabaleshwara M S, noted that lacs of rupees would be spent on watering the plants every day, which is now done by city corporation tankers, and they can be maintained effectively if some organizations provide tube well and supply water to the plants. There will be boards in between the protective gates which will have socially relevant and road safety messages without bank advertisements anywhere. Many citizens have demanded that the authorities should take action against political parties which paste posters on the boards or hang their festoons and thus spoil the look of the road.

City police commissioner N Shashi Kumar, said that protective wall will stop the people from crossing the road at will and therefore, number of accidents and deaths will come down. Shishu Mohan, project director of National Highways Authority of India, says that they have requested several institutions to contribute towards beautification of the city and safety. He said that some companies have planted plants in response.