THE Government’s failure to set up guardrails along Solomon Hochoy Highway led to the deaths of two young men last week.
Both Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan and his junior minister Richi Sookhai had promised to install guardrails, which, they said, were more effective and easier to maintain than cable barriers.
Sinanan made the promise in 2022 and repeated it last February.
And Sookhai restated the same pledge a few weeks ago, following the death of motorist Azizah Mohammed along the Hochoy Highway.
Echoing Sinanan’s talking points, Sookhai told Parliament the ministry gives “foremost importance” to road users’ safety and that a medium barrier programme was being implemented.
But the promise was not met.
Friends Sachin Teeluckdharry and Ryan Ramnanan, both 27, died when their vehicle ran off the highway and plunged into the Cipero River.
Cable barriers or guardrails would have saved their lives.
Several others have died over the years because of the lack of effective measures to absorb impact and prevent vehicles from crashing into the opposing lane or drains and other waterways.
Sinanan had outlined a three-year guardrail installation programme, and Sookhai provided details and gave guarantees to parliamentarians.
Guardrails are “a more sustainable initiative” than cable barriers, Sookhai said.
He said that after an evaluation, “the Ministry found that it will be a lot more efficient to implement the guardrails, as it will ensure the maintenance of the safety of the safety for road connectivity and road users are totally kept at all times.”
But the lack of implementation means that most of the country’s highways are without medium protection measures.
Teeluckdharry and Ramnanan perished when their vehicle overturned in the river between the north- and south-bound lanes.
The vehicle was lifted out with a crane.
Firefighters cut the vehicle to take out the men.
Cable barriers or guardrails would have given them a chance at life.
