Kerala Tourism has launched a major project to upgrade road signages in the state. The state is all set to install 1,600 signboards with an estimated investment of INR3.44 crore. Eleven different types of retroreflective signboards in accordance with the Code of Practice for Road Signs and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH’s) specifications for roads and bridges are to be installed on the National Highways, Main Central Road and other roads across the state. Kerala Tourism has entrusted the responsibility of preparing a comprehensive plan for making visible the signage to the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). After carrying out a detailed study and assessing the needs for the signage boards, NATPAC has suggested 1,600 signboard and identified the locations to install them. NATPAC has worked out a plan by grouping 14 districts into three – Package I comprises of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta, while Package II will comprise of Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissue and Palakkad. Package III will see signboard being put up at Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod. “The plan is to complete tender formalities and to install the tourism signboards in six months. A seven-year guarantee has been sought for the boards and those entrusted with the work will have to maintain the boards for five years. The colour, configuration, size and location of all traffic signs for highways and for other roads will be in accordance with the Code of Practice for Road Signs, Indian Roads Congress – 67:2012,” a NATPAC source informed The Hindu. Source: Travel Daily