On NH66, speed thrills but also kills

On NH66, speed thrills but also kills

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 15, 2015 :Four-laning of National Highway 66 between Talapady in Dakshina Kannada district and Kundapura in Udupi district, which is still incomplete, might have speeded up vehicular movement; but it has taken a toll on human lives too.

As many as 82 pedestrians have lost their lives on this stretch between January 2014 and May 2015 and a majority of the accidents happened while the victims were crossing the road, according to the police.

While the still under-construction four-lane road is yet to see road markings (to guide vehicle drivers, particularly during nights), busy areas on the stretch lack safe pedestrian crossings in the form of foot over bridges or subways.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim put the onus on pedestrians as well as drivers, to become more sensitised towards urbanisation and safe road practices.

At the same time, the administration would look into the issue of safe pedestrian crossings in the next road safety committee meeting, he said.

According to Mangaluru City Police, the stretch between Pumpwell and Mulki has become vulnerable with black spots at Pumpwell, Nanthoor Junction, Kottara Chowki, Baikampady, Mukka, Haleyangadi and Mulki. While 15 people had died in 2014, 10 were crushed under the wheels of vehicles till May in 2015.

City Police Commissioner S. Muragan told The Hindu that the police periodically shared road accident details with the authorities, including the National Highways Authority of India.

They would also suggest remedial measures and it is for the authorities concerned to implement the same.

More in Udupi

In Udupi district, 56 people had died in 2014 and 26 till May this year along the National Highway. The black spots include Uchchila, Hejamadi, Pabubidri, Katpadi, Kallianapura, Brahmavara, Sasthana, Saligrama, Kota, Thekkatte and Kundapura (Shastri Circle).

Superintendent of Police, Udupi district, K. Annamalai told The Hindu that in the recently held road safety committee meeting of the district, the police have shared the details of 23 black spots, including 14 on NH 66 with the authorities. While three subways are coming within Udupi City Municipal Council limits, the NHAI would undertake road signage improvement works at other stretches to enhance pedestrian safety, he added.

 

Courtesy: The Hindu