Tourism News

Reflective signboards to make roads more meaningful

Published in Newsletter Issue No. 243 - November 2013

In order to provide better sense of direction and awareness to visitors regarding destinations in Kerala, 1600 reflective signboards are to come up across the State. Kerala Tourism has decided to install eleven different types of reflective signboards in accordance with the Code of Practice for Road Signs and specifications of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The project is worth Rs. 34.4 million.

Kerala Tourism has entrusted the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) to prepare a comprehensive plan for making the signboards more visible. Following a detailed study on the need for signboards, NATPAC came up with the requirement of 1,600 signboards and identified locations for their installation. The study was conducted by grouping the 14 districts of Kerala into three packages: Package one comprised Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta while Package two had Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad and Package three consisted of Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

The reflective signboards will be displayed on national highways, main central road and other roads in the State. Within six months, signboards on destinations, tourist information, destinations ahead, district layout and layout of tourist areas will come up across the State.

A seven-year guarantee has been sought for the signboards and those entrusted with the work will have to maintain them for five years. The colour, configuration, size and location of all traffic signs for highways and for other roads will be done in accordance with the Code of Practice for Road Signs. The initiative is part of Kerala Tourism’s drive to ensure comfortable and enjoyable time for visitors in Kerala.