Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Jul 27: On an average, 200 people are dying due to accidents in the district in a year. In addition, nearly 1000 people receive serious injuries or become physically disabled.

From Hejmady to Byndoor, National Highway 66 runs for 97 km. From Malpe to Agumbe 55 km of NH 169A is situated. The state highway is 250 km. In addition, thousands of kilometers of rural roads are there. Now NH 66 is converted into four lanes and every day there is one or the other accident on this road. In the last five years, the number of deaths on NH 66 has increased considerably due to making the road four-lane.

In the last five years (2017-2021), 15799 accidents have taken place in the district. In these accidents, 1155 people have lost their lives while 4068 are physically disabled or injured severely. In all, 2399 people have received minor injuries.

An accident in Udyavar earlier this year (file photo)

In 2022, till the end of June, 128 people have died in 699 accidents, 483 are seriously injured while 399 have received minor injuries. It is said that due to the unscientific work done on NH 66 while converting the road to a four-lane, the accidents have increased by leaps and bounds. In addition, a rise in the number of vehicles is also said to be one of the causes.

In the most severe accident that took place at Byndoor in June 2016, eight school children had died when a private bus collided with an Omni van at Mowadi junction.

Deputy commissioner Koorma Rao said that suitable action is being taken to prevent accidents in the zones or stretches which are considered as accident zones. In addition, a meeting was held with NHAI officials to close the potholes and correct the unscientific road design.