Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Jul 7: The stretch of road between Yeyyadi to Bondel on the way to international airport has turned into death zone. Accidents are a daily occurring here. This has caused panic among riders, drivers and general public of this area.
Two young boys Pavan and Chirag, residents of Pacchanady died as the rider lost control of the two wheeler and crashed onto the electricity pole in the night on June 28.
Series of accidents have occurred on this stretch of road for some years. In May, 2021, bike rider Prashant (30), resident of Sharbath Katte died as he tried to save a scooter rider who suddenly crossed the road. The video of the tragic accident was viral on social media.
In April of this year, Adolph Rodrigues died in the accident that occurred near Perlaguri of Padavinangady. On June 11, an elderly person and kid were hit by a two wheeler while they were crossing the road. The bone of the child is fractured.
The main reason for the increased accidents on Yeyyadi-Bondel stretch is high speed of vehicles that go to the airport. Tall bushes and plants that are grown on the road dividers which obstruct the view. Several pedestrian crossings and U turns within three km distance. As there are no road humps, riders and drivers run the vehicle at high speed. Near Perlaguri there is bend as well as crossing.
In 2021, a youngster lost his life near Perlaguri Padavinangady after he collided with the steps of a grocery shop. Later, police and the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) officials arrived to check the reality of the road near Perlaguri and a barricade was installed.
In 2018, a shocking video of a two-wheeler rider miraculously escaping with a minor injury after ramming into a car on the Airport Road had highlighted the risk of travelling down the stretch that has been witnessing frequent accidents. The traffic police took serious note of the issue and placed barricades.
In 2018, the then ACP traffic Manjunath Shetty took measures in installing traffic cones and barricades opposite Bondel church after a series of accidents took place in the stretch.
The barricades and speed breakers will be installed soon after an accident which will be in place for a short period of time. Since it is an airport road, VVIPs do not allow to install barricades and speed breakers. Even if it is installed, they will be removed later.
Meanwhile, the locals in the stretch of Yeyyadi Bondel are worried about over-speeding and rash driving especially during the night that lead to accidents. Further, there are a few schools in the stretch which puts the students’ lives in danger due to high speed of vehicles.
Eyewitness of the accident that killed two adolescents on June 11, Dr Pavan Kamath says, “Humps are must on airport road. They are very much needed opposite Vanita Achuth Pai Convention centre where several accidents take place.”