ROAD MAINTENANCE NEEDS EVERYBODY'S COOPERATION

This paper outlines various road maintenance responsibilities to be accepted by different sections of society and government in India. Highway engineers should keep the road system in proper condition, by taking timely maintenance measures. Adequate preventative maintenance should be applied in good time, to minimise crisis situations. There are many other specific actions that they should take to monitor road condition. Traffic police and transport departments should strictly enforce traffic legislation and regulations. For example, overloaded vehicles and vehicles of excessive size should be prohibited. Vehicles damaged by accidents should be removed from the road quickly. Local administrative authorities should be committed to proper road maintenance, and cooperate with highway departments in this task. Road users should use roads responsibly and properly. In particular, they should park so that they allow the maximum possible width for traffic movement. Residents and businesses at the roadside should feel that a road is a national asset and that its traffic is necessary for meeting India's economic and social needs. They should cooperate so that traffic can travel without hindrance. Policy makers should give priority to maintaining the existing road system rather than extending it.