Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 23: A series of road accidents on the stretch leading towards Hornbill Nest from the Science Centre has raised serious concerns over road safety, with residents calling for urgent intervention by the Traffic Police and the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) to prevent further mishaps.
According to local observations, nearly half a dozen major accidents have reportedly occurred on this stretch over the past several months. Around three months ago, a car reportedly hit and damaged a lamp post and several metal posts installed between the road and the pedestrian walkway. Nearly a week ago, another car fell into a ditch on the opposite side of the road. Several months earlier, an Army tank transporter trailer reportedly overturned at the same location. Just a few days ago, another car allegedly damaged several metal posts along the pedestrian pathway.
Apart from these reported incidents, members of the public have also expressed concern over several motorcycle accidents in the area, although the details of these incidents remain unverified.
Residents believe that the road’s relatively low traffic volume often tempts motorists to drive at dangerously high speeds. This tendency, combined with the road’s multiple sharp turns, is suspected to be a major contributing factor behind the repeated accidents along this stretch. They have also pointed out that vehicles are frequently seen travelling at extremely high speeds along the stretch, particularly during the morning and evening hours when walkers use the road for a walk, exercise and other activities.
The combination of high-speed driving, road bends and the presence of pedestrians have raised concerns about the risk of serious injuries and fatalities. Residents fear that without timely preventive measures, another major accident could occur.
To address the situation, islanders have demanded the installation of traffic surveillance cameras at strategic points along the road. They believe that camera-based monitoring could discourage over-speeding and other traffic violations, particularly if motorists face enforcement action and challans for breaking traffic rules.
Residents have also called for the construction of proper reinforced cement concrete (RCC) fencing or an appropriate crash barrier along the roadside ditch to prevent vehicles from plunging into it. They pointed out that vehicles have reportedly fallen into the ditch on at least two occasions in recent months, highlighting the need for immediate protective measures.
The public has urged the Traffic Police and APWD officials to jointly inspect the accident-prone stretch, assess the road’s safety conditions and identify suitable measures to reduce the risk of further accidents. Possible interventions include speed monitoring, appropriate warning signs, improved roadside protection and other necessary traffic-calming measures.
Residents stressed that preventive action should not be delayed until a fatal accident occurs. They have appealed to the concerned authorities to treat the repeated incidents as a serious road safety concern and take timely steps to protect motorists, pedestrians and other road users.
