3 died, 6 got injured on NH every day in 3 years: RTI query

Nagpur: An RTI reply has revealed that over 3,659 were killed in the period of three years and two months from January 2016. In same period of 38 months, 7,642 were injured, including 4,002 who were seriously hurt, as per the regional centre of highway police in city. This means, over three deaths had taken place every day on the highways and over six injuries are reported, the police said in response to queries by RTI activist Abhay Kolarkar.
In 2016, a total of 1,048 accidents took place on highways coming under the jurisdiction of Nagpur centre. They left 1,268 seriously injured and 1,201 dead. The following year, about 975 mishaps were recorded where 1,139 were seriously injured and 1,117 lost their lives.

In 2018, about 1,185 accidents were reported where 1,188 were seriously injured while death toll was 1,142. Till February this year, 376 accidents took place that left 407 seriously injured while 199 lives were lost. The total number of injuries, including minor and serious, are about 7,642 in these three years and two months.

Public information officer Raja Pawar informed that they had identified about five accident-prone areas termed as “black spots” on highways under their office and erected warning boards for the riders to ensure their safety. Among thousands of lives lost on the accidents on highways, there were four policemen, who were on duty.

Pawar added that there were 10 police officers and 341 subordinates working at their different offices under their jurisdiction that stretched till Nanded. They were provided with 48 patrol vehicles that included jeeps and motorcycles.

Explaining about black spots, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) project director Abhijit Jichkar said they constantly try to reduce number of accidents in such areas. “These black spots remain only during initial phases when the roads are laid. Those are generally at sharp curves and narrow bridges. For that, we always make alterations after consulting with our experts. We also put signboards there to warn the drivers.”

He added that the NHAI was also converting such two lane roads into four lanes with dividers to avoid accidents. “It is an ongoing process, but the major fault in such mishaps lies with drivers who need to drive safe. During our safety week every year, we conduct awareness programmes for the citizens in PSUs and also in schools to drive safely. At our toll plazas, we educate the bullock cart riders to paste radium stickers or reflectors at front and back so that they could be visible to the vehicles at night,” he said.

19 police stations under city centre

The RTI reply by highway police informed that there are 16 police stations under their jurisdiction, and their reach is up to Nanded in Marathwada. These are situated at — Patansawangi, Ramtek, Khursapar, Jam, Chandrapur, Gadegaon, Dongargaon, Badnera, Balapur, Malkapur, Dhamangaon, Barad, Karanji, Umarkhed, Amani and Nanded.

(With inputs from Samidha Raut)