The National Highway between Hyderabad and Vijayawada is the gateway between Telangana and Costal Andhra regions. Though part of the road was converted into 4 lanes with divider separating two directions of traffic, most of the length is left behind with two lanes only. The road between Thoopranpet village and Kodad, in Nalgonda district, which is about 130 KMS stretch, is pending to expand. This length of the road has only two lanes for the traffic moving in both the directions. There is no divider either. This road is the cause of most accidents in the entire state of Andhra Pradesh.
On 3rd April, 08, there were 7 deaths on this highway in 3 different incidents. All these 7 victims are the family heads. Now their families are abonded. The traffic in recent years has tripled on this route, but the road is the same. In fact, the condition of it is even worst, both on and off the road. This road hasn't got blessings either from the current or past governments. Though there is an MP and few MLAs who represent cabinet berths for key portfolios in the central and state cabinets, the developments are moving at sloth-pace. When a leader pass-by, their convoy will be headed with a police jeep with siren and two police men hanging out of the jeep, waving their ‘laati’ to clear the road. Even heavy vehicles have to get off the road, otherwise have to taste police’s laati. What about ordinary people?
Besides the width and divider issues, the road has too many narrow curves, causing danger to the moving vehicles and lives of the people. There are about 2 feet pit holes on the roadsides, and up to one-foot holes on the road. There is no public safety for travelers on this road. On an average one accidental death, and another injury is recorded on this road every day, only between Thoopranpet and Kodad. Thousands of families are abandoned and millions are injured in the history of this road. I know dozens of families that were thrown on roads just because their primary family supporter was killed on this road, or injured. There are few families, who happen to live a decent life earlier, are now on roads begging in the streets and bus stops, due to damage caused by an accident. Besides, road condition, the heavy vehicles move so recklessly that they don’t care about other vehicles. Two wheelers are like insects to these heavy vehicles. They have to get off the road or die. Had if the road is wide, then most of the accidents would not occur, and with divider separating two directions, the accident rate could be brought down to rare occurrences.
Many NRI's (Non Resident Indians') families reside by this highway. Ever time we read news about an accident on this road, our pulse rate raise, and blood pressure shoots-up. We wrote many letters to the present and past governments and officials, but in vein. We should demand every political party to stand-by this issue, and put efforts to start road widning work.
Government should also educate about traffic sense, and should be followed everywhere by everyone. Whenever any vehicle is for repair while moving, the drivers just stop the vehicle on the road itself, and fence with small stones. There won’t be any precautions. Sometimes during night, other vehicles assume that it’s moving, or doesn’t realize that it’s static, will hit from behind. When these vehicles are repaired and ready to go, they just move away, leaving the stones on the road itself. Some vehicles carry heavy items that some items hang out of the trucks, and cause hazard to others. Sometimes, accidents occur because of animals. Govt should take precaution to fence or, somehow keep animals away from high ways. This highway has become a great danger to lives in all forms. I request every human being to put every possible effort to make this road wide, and put an end to these accidents.
Vijay Gummi
No comments:
Post a Comment