Kerala and Express High Way

Recently there are some noises heard about the need for an express high way by the Kerala transport minister Mr. Monce Joseph. As soon as they heard the name high way, the chief minister Mr. Achyuthanandan and his side kick orator Sukumar Azheekkod came up with their opposition to the idea. They are saying that only the very rich are going to benefit from this. And they adds that only a four lane extension of the existing high ways is all that is required for Kerala.

Why can't these old men understand that pretty much every one in Kerala will be driving a car in another 5 or 10 years, especially so since the 1 lakh car nano is coming out later this year? And how do they assess that 4 lanes will be enough once the auto mobile explosion happens here?

What is their problem if the common man who uses bus service to reach his destination has to travel a few hours less? Now the travelling in Kerala is around 30 kilometres per hour. This would increase to 100 or 150 kilometres per hour once we have some quality express high ways. Speed of travelling here is calculated as the time taken to travel from one spot to other. Even on the current Kerala roads, people may be able to travel at 150 kilometres for a few seconds or a minute. But on a express high way, you will be able to sustain that speed for 30 minutes or an hour at a time. This will result in a lot less travelling time and and a lot less travelling expenses like petrol, food etc.

And none of these guys have any clue as to how a high way works. They assume it is going to be an existing road with a little bit more of width. They have no clue about any of the general features of a high way like:-

1. People can get in and out of high ways only once every 10 or 20 kilometres only to reduce disruption of traffic and to keep the short distance travellers away.

2. Both sides of the high ways in between these entry point and exit point are closed.

3. There should not be any businesses or shops on the high way in order to help the smooth flow of traffic.

4. The high ways should be the shortest and straightest road between two cities. A good example for a Kerala high way could be one from the southern most tip and northern most tip. The high way should not be adjusted in order to touch all the politicians constituencies.

5. There should not be any speed breakers on high ways.

6. Bullock carts etc. should not be allowed on high way.

7. No pedestrians or foot paths.