Newsroom
If you've ever been stuck for hours on the Nicosia-Limassol motorway after a serious crash, the government says help could soon be on the way.
Following last week's major traffic chaos caused by an overturned truck that shut down the motorway for hours, the Ministry of Justice is introducing a new national emergency plan designed to get traffic moving again much faster.
Justice Minister Costas Fytiris chaired a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the new plan, known as "NESTOR," which will create a single, coordinated response whenever a serious road incident brings traffic to a standstill.
The goal is simple: get everyone who needs to be there on the scene immediately, clear the road safely, and reopen it as quickly as possible.
Instead of agencies working separately, the plan brings together the police, fire service, ambulance service, Public Works Department, Road Transport Department, Civil Defense, district administrations, and, when needed, private companies with specialized equipment.
The idea is that from the first few minutes after a major accident, every service knows exactly what it needs to do, from rescuing anyone trapped and securing the area to removing damaged vehicles, clearing debris, and managing traffic.
The plan also focuses on having the right equipment ready at short notice, including heavy machinery from the private sector if required.
Another key part of the strategy is keeping drivers informed. Authorities say they want to provide quicker updates on road closures, alternative routes, and when traffic is expected to return to normal, helping motorists avoid sitting in long queues with little idea of what's happening.
Officials from all the agencies involved reviewed the proposal during Tuesday's meeting and shared suggestions before the plan is finalized.
Once those comments are incorporated, the NESTOR plan will be rolled out, with the hope that future motorway closures won't leave thousands of drivers stranded for hours.
