By Dr. K. M. George
Secretary-General, Global Millets Foundation & CEO, Sustainable Development Forum (Think Tank)
18th September 2025
- Introduction: The Kerala Paradox
Kerala is admired for its literacy, health, and natural beauty.
Yet its roads remain among the weakest links, battered by monsoons and overloaded with vehicles.
Vehicle density in Kerala is one of the highest in the world: 12 million vehicles for 35 million people.
Road accidents claim over 4,000 lives annually.
Key Question: How can Kerala reimagine its roads as safe, smart, and sustainable pathways?
- The Road Crisis in Kerala
Seasonal Devastation
Heavy monsoons twice a year erode newly built roads.
Potholes and cracks increase accidents post-rainy season.
Vehicle Density Challenge
Nearly 450 vehicles per 1,000 people—higher than many developed nations.
Congestion in cities, towns, and rural corridors.
Land Constraints
Kerala is one of the most densely populated states in India.
Expanding road width is often not feasible.
Pedestrian Neglect
Absence of proper sidewalks.
Encroachments force people to walk on unsafe stretches.
Accident Burden
Thousands of preventable deaths and injuries every year.
Heavy economic and emotional cost on families.
- National Opportunity: Bharatmala Pariyojana
Bharatmala is India’s flagship road development program.
Vision includes:
Corridor-based development.
Access-controlled expressways.
Elevated and logistics corridors.
For Kerala, Bharatmala means:
North–South Expressways to reduce travel time.
Elevated highways where land is scarce.
Modern AI-enabled features: sensors, adaptive lighting, smart signage.
Action Point: Kerala must align state priorities with Bharatmala to leverage central support.
- Artificial Intelligence: The Handmaid of Development
AI in Monitoring and Maintenance
Drones with AI can map potholes and cracks post-monsoon.
Predictive analytics can identify vulnerable stretches.
AI in Traffic Management
Smart traffic signals reduce waiting times and congestion.
Dynamic routing apps divert vehicles away from bottlenecks.
AI for Accident Prevention
Black spot mapping highlights danger zones.
AI-assisted vehicles issue collision, fatigue, and lane departure alerts.
AI in Pedestrian Safety
Intelligent crosswalks light up when people step in.
Wearables sync with AI to alert drivers of nearby pedestrians.
Outcome: AI becomes a guardian angel on Kerala’s roads.
- People-Friendly and User-Friendly Roads
Rational Toll Systems: Fair, transparent, distance-based tolls.
Subscription Models: Regular commuters pay reduced rates.
Universal Accessibility: Roads for children, elderly, and disabled.
Green Corridors: Tree cover, solar lights, and rainwater harvesting.
Principle: Roads must be public goods, not just vehicle conduits.
- Expressways, Elevated Roads, and Land Use
Elevated Corridors: Build over existing highways to save land.
Underground Tunnels: In metros and congested hubs.
Access-Controlled Expressways: Faster, safer, uninterrupted travel.
Dream Goal: Travel Kasaragod to Trivandrum in under 6 hours.
- Containing Corruption, Enforcing Quality
Current Challenges
Political interference in tenders.
Inferior materials leading to short-lived roads.
Solutions
Blockchain-based e-tendering for transparency.
Third-party quality audits with public disclosure.
Strict blacklisting of corrupt contractors.
Result: Roads that last beyond a single monsoon.
- Community Participation and Ownership
Road Monitoring Apps: Citizens upload photos of unsafe conditions.
Adopt-a-Road Schemes: Resident associations or corporates maintain stretches.
Decent, Informative Signboards: Bilingual, visible, well-lit signs.
Insight: When people co-own roads, maintenance improves.
- Aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 3: Health & Well-being → Fewer road deaths.
SDG 9: Infrastructure & Innovation → AI-driven, smart roads.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities → Pedestrian-friendly, people-centric mobility.
SDG 13: Climate Action → Reduced congestion, lower emissions.
Kerala can achieve by 2025 what the world targets by 2030.
- Roadmap for Kerala’s Transformation
Kerala Smart Roads Mission 2025: AI, elevated expressways, pedestrian priority.
Policy Synergy: Link with Bharatmala and best global practices.
Public-Private Partnerships: Engage startups, universities, civil society.
AI Road Labs: Pilot corridors before scaling statewide.
Citizen Engagement: Safety as a community-driven movement.
- Conclusion: From Potholes to Pathways of Progress
Kerala’s roads reflect both its challenges and potential.
AI is not a threat—it is the handmaid of development and the guardian of life.
With vision and commitment:
Roads can withstand heavy monsoons.
Accidents can be reduced by 70%.
Pedestrians can walk without fear.
Elevated expressways can make travel faster and safer.
Call to Action: Let Kerala not just be remembered for backwaters and literacy, but as the state that redefined road safety in the 21st century.