Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Jun 14: Two lorries belonging to ONGC were involved in an accident that occured near Bajpe here on Thursday June 14.

The accident occured at around 6.15 am near a petrol bunk at a circle that joins Bapje road with Airport road. They dashed into each other when one driver tried to overtake the other.

The lorries were plying back after unloading from MRPL to Bajpe.

Both drivers escaped with minor injuries and were admitted to AJ Hospital.

Speaking to Daijiworld, taluk panchayat member Joachim D'Costa said that as the accident took place in the morning hours, no major damage was done. "The area is a busy one, and if the accident had occured after 9 am, at least three or four people would have died," he said.

He pointed out that as the lorry drivers get paid for each trip they make, they drive at high speeds so as to fill in as many trips as possible in the stipulated time.

He said that sometime ago, he had complained to the panchayat heads urging reduction in the number of trips made by ONGC lorries through the area, and to take action against speeding lorry drivers, but nothing came of it.