Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Jul 14: "Gas tanker accidents have increased of late. Accidents are inconveniencing the public and causing losses to the administration. Have the gas companies taken any measures to prevent accidents caused by these tankers?" queried deputy commissioner (DC) A B Ibrahim.

He was speaking at the district-level road safety meeting held at the DC office here on Monday July 14. The DC asked if gas companies maintain blacklists of drivers committing mistakes or violating traffic laws while operating gas tankers.

In response to his query on what steps the gas companies were taking to prevent tanker accidents, an official from HPCL said, "A few accidents are occurring and it is a simple matter. We are providing training to drivers and there are guidelines. We have set up GPRS monitoring. There is also a rescue team functioning from Mani to Sakaleshpur. When there are mistakes we cancel their contracts."

Refusing to buy the explaination, ADC Sadashiva Prabhu asked the HPCL official to define how gas tanker accidents could be termed ‘simple’. The deputy commissioner also asked gas companies to hold awareness programmes along the routes on which gas tankers ply, by involving gram panchayats.

G Hanumantha Kamath of Nagarika Hitharakshana Samithi, said, "MCC officers have failed to complete the road widening work at Bhavanti street and MHS Road though the land has been acquired."

The DC expressed disappointment over the functioning of the MCC and asked MCC deputy commissioner Uday Nayak, "Why has the MCC left the work unfinished? Complete the unfinished work immediately. It would be better if officers realize their responsibility."

Nayak replied, "No one has come forward for the tender and hence, the Nirmithi Kendra has been asked to take up the work."

Members of the auto rickshaw drivers' union said, "Though we asked for construction of 300 auto rickshaw stands, only 180 have been sanctioned; but these have not yet been constructed. From the past 20 years, there are only 70 auto stands in the city, whereas there are nearly 3,000 auto rickshaws plying."

In response, the DC asked for notification of the places for the proposed stands. Prakash of auto rickshaw drivers' union suggested, "While providing permits to auto rickshaws in the city, issue only to 15-20 autos per year as there are no proper auto rickshaw stands and this hampers traffic."

The DC asked Sriram Mishra of NHAI to look into the matter of widening narrow roads in Suratkal. Mishra agreed to do this.

The DC also asked the MCC officials to continue painting of zebra crossings with epoxy paint.

When the DC asked about the repair work on Shiradi Ghat, Mohammad Hanif said, "Now, we are collecting materials for work and from October 31, Shiradi Ghat road will be closed for seven months."

When the DC asked about an alternate road, Hanif said that commuters should travel via Charmadi Ghat. Assistant SP Shivakumar said, "There are many accidents reported on this road and it will become congested."

The deputy commissioner also asked the PWD and NHAI to hold a meeting within 15 days to discuss this issue.