HMDA finally takes steps to prevent accidents on ORR

With spurt in road accidents on Nehru Outer Ring Road (ORR), the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has decided to engage a private contractor for "incident management", which includes providing road patrols, surveillance, first aid, ambulances and other road safety works apart from providing crash barriers and other regular maintenance works.

Toll collection has started on ORR stretches Gachibowli-Shamshabad, Pedda Amberpet-Patancheru and Narsingi-Patancheru, which were opened for traffic in different phases. Though toll is being collected, there is no mechanism in place for road safety and incident management system. The local police have been assisting whenever a road accident occurs on the ORR.

The authority has called for bids a couple of days ago from contractors for operation and maintenance of ORR stretches for a period of three years. The HMDA has listed out the requirements and conditions for the works that would be entrusted to the successful bidder.

HMDA officials said the successful bidder has to set up and maintain a 24-hour Incident Management System (IMS) with dedicated staff, vehicles and other equipment. "An exclusive tollfree number would be made available for the purpose of attending complaints related to ORR. The number would be displayed at important junctions, places and signboards would erected at every km enabling staff to reach the spot in case of road accidents, road blockade, dead animals and other purposes," an HMDA official said.

As part of the maintenance, it has been decided to provide 24X7 route patrols to assist commuters to provide information, feedback and extend help with regard to incident management. The patrol vehicles engaged by the contractors should be fully equipped, while the staff be trained in traffic management, road safety and primary first aid. It is also the responsibility of the contractor to identify and have liaison with agencies of rescue, fire, hazardous materials, traffic police, hospitals and their representatives. Ambulances should be provided on the ORR with the logo of the authority, life-saving equipment, medicines and para-medical staff to shift the injured persons to the nearest hospital in case of emergency.

"The contractor has to record the incidents such as collision, breakdowns and accidents and should intimate the officials in the form of report from time to time," the official said.

The HMDA officials said the O&M contractors should also carry out engineering improvements like providing crash barriers at specified places, new signboards, pavement markings, road works such as repairing local potholes, road markings, repair of damaged roads, clearing litter and debris, prevention of encroachments on service roads and other works. "The contractor for operation and maintenance works of ORR will be finalised by August-end and pre-bid meeting will be held on July 27," HMDA metropolitan commissioner Neerabh Kumar Prasad said.