Container Road nonetheless a loss of life lure for motorists

The loss of life of a younger girl, who was run over by a container lorry at Ponnarimangalam on Friday, reveals that the Container Terminal Road, connecting Kalamassery to Vallarpadam, is but to shed its accident-prone tag. Liby VK., a senior clerk of the Kochi Corporation from Varapuzha, was the most recent sufferer in a collection of accidents which have for lengthy left the 16-km stretch a nightmare for motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders.

Traffic congestion on Goshree bridges, lack of satisfactory streetlights and alleged unscientific street and junction designs are cited by native folks as the main causes behind the accidents. Unregulated motion of automobiles and parking of container lorries alongside the street add to the issue, they are saying.

“Accidents have been taking place regularly on the stretch however solely deadly ones get public consideration. It is learnt that within the newest incident, which claimed a lady’s life, lack of satisfactory mild and reckless using of container lorries performed a job,” Abhijith John of Nerkazhcha Vedhi, a civic discussion board, says.

“Though streetlights had been put in alongside the street two months in the past, virtually a decade after the street was constructed, the stretch between Cheranalloor Junction and Bolghatty Junction stays unlit. The stretch has additionally turn into dwelling to numerous stray canines. The canines soar in entrance of bikes which then skid off,” Mr. John provides.

A 22-year-old youth was killed in 2019 on the street when he fell off his bike as he tried to evade a sudden crossing stray canine. The youth was run over by a truck entering into the identical route.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has, in the meantime, blamed the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) for not offering connection to the streetlights put in by it.

“All lights have been put in by us. The KSEB has sought extra transformers to cost them however it’s not in our scope,” an NHAI supply says

The KSEB had earlier made it clear that charging the complete fleet of streetlights required round six transformers, of which solely two had been operational. The remaining lights haven’t been charged as the present transformers are already overloaded.