Lahaul-Spiti plans to install crash barriers

The district administration of Lahaul and Spiti has decided to intensify road safety measures, with plans to install crash barriers at identified black spots, strengthen ambulance services and take strict action against overspeeding and drunken driving.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee chaired by Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana at the DC office. The meeting reviewed road accident data for 2025, which recorded 20 accidents resulting in 12 deaths and 58 injuries. Expressing concern over the figures, the DC directed all departments to ensure coordinated and result-oriented action to curb accidents.

To improve safety at accident-prone locations, the Public Works Department and the Border Roads Organisation have identified 15 black spots. A detailed proposal worth Rs 3.99 crore has been sent to the Transport Secretary for approval to construct 1,520 metres of crash barriers, 505 metres of retaining walls and 280 metres of breast walls. Flash and warning signboards with police and disaster management contact numbers will also be installed in remote and vulnerable areas.

The DC instructed police to strictly monitor overspeeding and drunken driving through the ITMS system and take stringent action against violators. Regular road maintenance has also been emphasised. To promote responsible citizen response, Good Samaritans assisting accident victims will be awarded Rs 25,000 in cash. The DC directed SDMs to hold quarterly road safety meetings and asked the RTO and the police to conduct awareness drives in schools and among the general public, submitting monthly reports.