The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Not even an apology of a road

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Friday, Jan 04, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Not even an apology of a road

S. Harpal Singh

The state of disrepair of the NH 7 on Mahabub Ghat has taken a fatal turn with 712 accidents involving 392 deaths and injury cases put together

Dicey curve: The huge pipe and the lorry trailer on which it was mounted tumbled over after the vehicle hit a pothole on the Mahabub Ghat on the NH 7.

ADILABAD: Like the deep potholes dotting them, bad roads in Adilabad district became the sore spot for all concerned in the year gone by. Besides being a direct cause for a large chunk of accident deaths and injuries, the roads were also a cause for considerable national loss by way of insurance payments in accident cases.

Until November 2007, 346 persons had lost their lives in 1,302 accident cases in the district of which the NH 7 accounted for 712 accidents involving 392 deaths and injury cases put together. 31 more persons had lost their lives as compared to 2006, and the rise is being attributed to the state of disrepair of the NH 7.

“It was quite disgusting,” exclaimed Satnam Singh Sokhi, vice president of Adilabad Lorry Owners’ Welfare Association, referring to the painful job of extraction of dead bodies last year as his cranes are pressed into service whenever an accident takes place. A similar sentiment was displayed by officials of the Insurance companies who point out the increased number of claims filed during the year due to bad condition of roads.

On condition of anonymity, an insurance company development officer related some of the accidents that would not have taken place had the roads been well maintained. “In Mavala village near here, a speeding lorry driver swerved to the wrong side to avoid potholes on the road. By doing so he mowed down three motorcyclists for no fault of theirs. A Rs. 15 lakh insurance means tremendous national loss,” he said.

On the Mahabub Ghat, the NH 7 is not even an apology of a road. On an average, one lorry either tumbles to its side or its suspension gives way after hitting the potholes every day.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) that looks after the NH 7 stretch in Adilabad has undertaken some patch work on the road because of funds given by other agencies. The effort is too little and before it ends up becomes too late, the Government better pump in sufficient money for repairs.

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