Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network–Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Sep 21: The Movady cross tragedy three months ago that took away the lives of eight young school children had created fear not only in the state but also abroad. The tears of the parents of deceased children have not yet dried up, yet the highway has seen no changes in road safety though people representatives and officials had gone around and promised several measures to make travelling safe.
The wheel of Maruthi Omni vehicle which was ferrying children to Don Bosco English medium school at Mukka on June 21, three months ago had got stuck in the pothole in the beginning of the journey. The driver hastened to cover the time lost and was rushing towards the school so that the children reach in time. Meanwhile the speeding private bus collided with the vehicle at Movadi cross.
Victims of Trasi tragedy
Tragic accident spot
The tragedy shook the state. The process of laying down restrictions on the number of children that can be ferried in vehicles with Nakabandi was started immediately after it. There were speed restrictions through barricades at a gap of one km even on highways and rural roads where the vehicles could be driven at a speed of 110 km per hour. Local businessmen and donors gave their contributions and made their names written on the barricades. The process continued for a few days. However the practice was later discontinued and the only change has been that the vehicles ferrying children have increased their monthly fare.
The local minister had arrived and assured of implementing laws for safety of road users. The then SP Annamalai promised of conducting patrols and Nakabandi and got transferred. However, nobody looks at the safety of Movadi cross which had shocked the state.
Several accidents have occurred in the cross. Many people have lost their lives. There were demands to declare the area as danger zone which were intensified after eight children died. Four incidents have occurred here even after that. But the department and elected representatives are still in slumber.
It is to be seen if necessary precautions will be followed at least after this.
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