By John B Monteiro
Mangaluru, Jan 12: In the wake of the death of Ronald Noronha of Paccahandy, 57 years old working in the Gulf, being knocked down by a vehicle bound for the airport on January 9, a public meeting was held at Kavoor of residents of Bondel, Kavoor and housing colonies in the area, to express the distress over the tragic death of the victim and seek safeguards for the living. Ronald, working in Muscat and on year-end holiday, was on a pre-dawn morning walk when the high-speed vehicle, on its way to the airport, ran into him and killed him. He left behind his wife and two daughters.
Ronald Noronha
At the meeting, held in 'Society Hall', at Kavoor, convened by civic activists duo, Rao and Malli, provoked by this tragic event, it was highlighted, in person and in written submissions, that this was not the first of such accidents and many have narrowly escaped from being run over by over-speeding vehicles heading towards the airport or returning from it – specially vehicles from Kerala.
While it was no possible to identify persons by name because of multiple simultaneous exuberant interventions in an overflow of anger, concern and despair, it was noted at the meeting that there are two stretches of strait road, of one kilometre each, between Bondel Church and Bondel Junction and from there to Kavoor Junction, which are an invitation for drivers to accelerate speed to around 100-plus km/hr. Vehicles ferrying airport arrival and departure passengers ride at high speed.
It was also noted that Noronha’s death is the latest of several other such accidents and there is need to chalk out corrective action with the help of district administration, RTO, traffic police, MMC and local corporators and MLA. Since this meeting was convened at short notice and by word of mouth, another meeting, with larger attendance, was mooted wherein the above-noted functionaries would be invited for spot reaction and assurances of action.
Footpath for walkers
The meeting discussed the situation and resolved to submit the following to the concerned authorities for time-bound action:
1. The road from Mary Hill to Kavoor and beyond should be provided footpaths of standard width on both sides of the road. This will also include covered rain-water drainage.
2. The street lights on this road should be on up to clear day-break (6.30 am) and before sunset (6.30 pm).
3. Speed-breaking humps and barriers should be installed at vulnerable points like in front of church complex, opposite the main dwara of MGC High School/ PU College complex, outside the main gate of Kudremukh Colony and at Kavoor Junction.
4. Traffic police should periodically check for over-speeding on the Airport Road and fine the offenders. There should also be traffic police posted at Kavoor Junction as it has the congruence of multiple arterial roads.
Patronise 10-acre maidan
5. To encourage morning walkers not walk on the footpath-less road, it was suggested that the 10-acre HUDCO maidan should be speedily developed for multiple uses particularly by laying a walking track around the maidan with paving blocks whereby it can be used even during monsoons.
File Photos
6. In addition to the two mast-lights presently installed, adequate lighting should be done around the maidan so that it can be used by walkers from 5 am onwards and in the evening up to 8 pm. Such lights should be kept on beyond daybreak and much before sunset - as is being done at Kadri Maidan.
7. Driving practice for four-wheelers and two-wheelers should be prohibited - as is done on Maryhill/helicopter-landing ground - and notices about this should be displayed at all entry-points to the maidan.
8. A caretaker/watchman/guard should be appointed to ensure legitimate use (sports/walking/ laughter club sessions) of the maidan. It was suggested that walking on the maidan is a safe option, those still hugging the road should walk facing the oncoming traffic so that risk can be spotted and danger avoided in good time. It was noted that going to the maidan also offers the option of joining the Bondel Laughter Club sessions which start at 6 am – and combining it with walks on the maidan.
The meeting noted with regret that the Ward Committees envisaged under the law have not been constituted and a local citizens committee, under a banner yet to be finalised, should be set up to follow-up the implementation of the above, and yet to be identified, proposals and ensure sustained monitoring and vigilance.