Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 28: The highway bend between Maroli and Padil on national highway 75 has become notorious for accidents. The spot continues to witness accidents but neither the highways authority nor contracting firm have evinced interest in providing a permanent solution.

During the last about five years after this highway was built, over a hundred accidents have happened here, and more than ten people have lost their lives. A number of people were injured in these accidents and some have become handicapped. None of the highways seem to be having as steep a curve as here. As the drivers encounter this road bend all of a sudden, the drivers or riders lose their balance and control on their vehicles. When heavy vehicles like tankers suddenly turn on the road, diesel, oil, bitumen etc loaded in them spill onto the road. These substances turn nightmarish for the vehicles which follow these heavy vehicles.

There are trees by the side of the highway and these trees are not visible from a distance. They have to be painted white or reflectors should be fitted. The divider which is damaged after the vehicles crash into it is retained as it is. There are no warning signs or instructions about the existence of the dangerous curve. In some of the accidents here, motorbike riders who try to overtake trucks have got crushed under the trucks. Some lorries carrying luggage have tripped here.

Straightening the bend appears to be the only plausible solution to reduce accidents. As there is no space on the edge of the road here, vehicles also hit people walking by the roadside. When accidents happen, police, highway department employees and people's representatives visit the spot. But no one has tried to set right this dangerous bend, the locals, who point out that lives continue to be lost, say.

Shishumohan, project director of National Highways Authority of India, says that land acquisition for the highway widening poses a problem many a time. He says that negligent driving has also been responsible for accidents. He stated that a permanent solution will be found for the Padil cross problem soon.