Coastal Road must be well-maintained and safe

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Experts have a point of view concerning the opening of the northbound arm of the Coastal Road to vehicular traffic. Amidst all the buzz created by the time saviour, we also have to heed what planners and visionaries state, so the infrastructure is functional and does the job with optimum efficiency.

The different arms of the Coastal Road must be maintained well. The road surface must hold up, especially in this season and that will prove that there has been quality construction.

Speed limits must be maintained within the tunnel, in fact, through the road. Here, it is up to vehicle drivers to adhere to norms. Crashes inside the tunnel will lead to significant chaos and, of course, there is the greater human tragedy to consider in any accident.

The next point is that confusion is to be avoided. If drivers are bewildered about where to go on exiting a part of the road then that is highly dangerous. The paper's report stated that a Marine Drive resident who took the new arm was reassured by a robust police presence, guiding motorists once they exited at Haji Ali. If such a huge police presence is not possible for long-term, then proper signage must guide drivers. The signage for this road is all important. There are many drivers who may be Coastal Road ‘newbies' and they will surely have to be told where to exit etc so that there are no mishaps because of wrong turns or drivers puzzled at the scenario.

Visibility is vital, taking into account the monsoon season. Though the Coastal Road remains closed late evenings, neon signage may be a good idea.

Authorities need to do all for safety, and users too, play their part as new infra opens up regularly.