Thiruvananthapuram: Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar has assured that a permanent road divider will be installed at Panayampadam in Palakkad, where four girls tragically lost their lives in an accident. "The bus stop will be relocated, and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will allocate Rs 1 crore to install the divider. The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society will be tasked with its construction. Additionally, the five recommendations made by Palakkad IIT will be implemented," Ganesh said.

The minister also mentioned that changes would be made to Mundoor Road based on studies conducted by the Motor Vehicle Department. "The Public Works Department’s estimate will be submitted by next Tuesday. Sixteen black spots have been identified between Palakkad and Kozhikode, and NHAI will carry out the necessary modifications. The responsibility for these black spots lies with those who designed the roads," he added.

Ganesh Kumar also announced strict measures regarding private bus accidents. "In the event of a fatality in a private bus accident, the vehicle's permit will be suspended for six months. If someone is seriously injured, the permit will be suspended for three months. Police clearance will become mandatory for private bus drivers, conductors, and cleaners. Bus owners will be required to display their contact numbers on the vehicle for complaint purposes. We are also considering geo-tagging to prevent competitive speeding between buses. Cameras will be required in all buses by March 2025," he stated.