**Etek Calls for Stress-Testing of ‘Nestor’ Road Incident Plan**
In the wake of a serious accident on the Nicosia-Larnaca motorway, the chairman of the Technical Chamber of Cyprus (Etek), Constantinos Constanti, has urged for comprehensive testing of the newly implemented “Nestor” response plan. This call for action came just a day after the plan was activated to manage the aftermath of the incident, which involved a truck and a private vehicle.
The Justice Ministry reported that the response to the accident effectively demonstrated the core principles of the Nestor plan, which was developed following a previous incident that left a motorway closed for approximately seven hours. The recent accident posed a complex challenge for the new response arrangements, as the overturned truck was carrying gravel and towing an additional trailer, complicating the removal process.
According to the ministry, the police coordinated the response, while private crews were engaged to clear the spilled gravel and specialized cranes were utilized to remove the vehicles involved. Traffic was diverted through alternative routes to minimize disruption. The operation concluded without significant delays for motorists, and the ministry credited the swift mobilization and coordination of both public services and private operators.
Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, in an interview with the Cyprus Mail, emphasized the importance of preemptive testing for any emergency response plan. “I have always believed that a plan should never be tested for the first time during a real crisis. It must first be exercised so weaknesses can be identified and corrected,” he stated. He further noted that the effectiveness of Nestor would be evaluated based on the state's response speed and efficiency in future incidents, rather than its theoretical framework.
While acknowledging the positive aspects of the Nestor plan's implementation during the recent incident, Constanti expressed concerns about the necessity for further testing under varied scenarios. He argued that it is crucial for authorities to assess the plan’s performance beyond the specific circumstances of Thursday's accident. “Exercises must be carried out with many different scenarios, so that we know how we respond and who is responsible for taking action in each case,” he said.
Constanti also highlighted the importance of maintaining cranes on standby to ensure immediate deployment in emergencies. He pointed out that prolonged closures of major roads can significantly disrupt daily life and have broader implications, including affecting access to critical transportation hubs such as airports and ports.
“Lengthy closures of national road networks cause considerable inconvenience to citizens and can have knock-on effects on airports and ports,” he remarked. Constanti urged authorities to provide transparency regarding the effectiveness of the Nestor plan during the recent operation, advocating for public disclosure of any identified shortcomings. He emphasized that open discussions could lead to constructive proposals for enhancing the plan.
As the authorities continue to evaluate the Nestor response plan, the focus will likely remain on ensuring that it can adapt to a variety of emergency situations, thereby safeguarding public safety and minimizing disruption in the future.