Between life and death: The road in front of St Xavier’s School where a student died six months ago. The road construction department will erect a permanent divider on the stretch next week. Telegraph picture

Patna, Jan. 25: Three to five per cent of the cost of the construction of any road in the state would be spent on safety measures.

State road construction department secretary Prataya Amrit told The Telegraph: “With many roads being constructed in the state, the focus was on proper and concrete arrangements for road safety in a bid to avoid any mishaps.”

He said: “The engineers of the department have made extensive studies when it comes to road safety. They have attended workshops and conferences and have acquired knowledge about road geometry. With this knowledge, the department’s focus has now shifted to the safety of roads. The same is being planned,” the official said.

He added that the roads would be built in such a manner that it would no longer be risky for commuters.

“Special care will be taken when it comes to sharp bends and blind turns. Directional signs, speed breakers, rumble strips, caution signs, speed limits would be introduced. With the department spending the sum, the roads in the state will be absolutely safe, we believe,” he said.

Apart from this, the department would also take care and organise several road safety awareness programmes across districts.

“The campaigns are important as the driver needs to exercise caution all the time while driving. The details about how to go on with these campaigns is being planned,” Amrit said.

Sources in the department said the onus of safety after everything would be on the drivers. “No matter how safe the roads are, if the drivers are not careful, anything could happen,” a department official said. The secretary said the construction of a permanent road divider starting from the State Bank of India near Biscomaun Towers to the district magistrate’s residence would start next week.

The Telegraph had earlier reported about the plan of the department.

“We will begin the construction after January 26. The area near the school is always clogged with traffic. Moreover, there is a turning towards the Sri Krishna Memorial Hall. Motorists generally drive at high speeds, which is dangerous for the students. Once speed breakers are constructed till the DM residence, motorists will not be able to cross over,” Amrit said.

In addition to this, work for the construction of rumble strips or small and continuous speed breakers along Patna Women’s College, JD Women’s College and the Delhi Public School would also begin at the same time, the official added.