SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, has filed this Report regarding the functioning of Safe Zone Project, Sabarimala, by the Motor Vehicles Department, with offices at Elavunkal, Erumeli and Kuttikkanam. The project provides for accident and break down assistance for motor vehicles and also rescue operations in motor accidents. Under Safe Zone Project, teams of officers in vehicles patrol the accident prone routes covering Elavunkal, Erumeli and Kuttikkanam. There are also quick response teams and an ambulance. In addition to this, break down assistance is provided with the aid of recovery vehicles and mechanics. Safe Zone Project 2021-22 has been operational from the commencement of MandalaMakaravilakku festival for the current year, from 15/11/2021. The Special Officer, Safe Zone Project, has reported that a total of Rs.68.00 Lakhs is allocated for the project, out of which Rs.20.00Lakhs was sanctioned on 16/12/2021 and received on 21/12/2021. Safe Zone Project has so far attended 40 major accidents, 758 major break downs and 536 minor break downs. Along with the report of the Special Commissioner, the details of the Safe Zone Project 2021-22 submitted by its Controlling Officer and Special Officer are placed on record.

(2.) On 3/1/2022, when this report came up for consideration the learned Senior Government Pleader sought time to get instructions from respondents 1 to 4.

(3.) On 5/1/2022, when this report came up for consideration, Registry was directed to incorporate the news report that appeared in an online media regarding a motor accident, which occurred in the 1 st week of December, 2021, involving two contract carriages carrying Sabarimala pilgrims, in which two pilgrims sustained fatal injuries. Copy of that news report was handed over to the learned Senior Government Pleader, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board and also the learned Amicus Curiae for Special Commissioner, Sabarimala. The learned Senior Government Pleader was directed to get instructions from the 2nd respondent-Transport Commissioner, the 3rd respondent-State Police Chief and also the 4th respondentDistrict Police Chief, Pathanamthitta.