Traffic department mulls steps to rein in accidents on two stretches of roads in Ranchi

RANCHI: The traffic department plans to implement a slew of safety measures to reduce accidents on two stretches of roads in Ranchi which have registered many accidents in the recent past.
Notably, the department has identified the entire stretch passing through Khelgaon, Tatisilwayi, Nevri Ring Road, BIT Mesra and Booty More as black spot. Another road connecting the BIT Mesra to Irba has also been categorised as highly accident-prone area.
The safety survey of the roads was conducted by the traffic department team, led by SP Haaris Bin Jama, in coordination with the road safety engineer, transport department, Gaurav Kumar.
According to the road safety department, around 50 accidents have taken place in the surveyed area since 2022. At least 40 people have lost their lives, while many more have been injured. In the recent past, a Class X examinee Simran Kumari was killed when a speeding vehicle hit her scooty under the Khelgoan police station limits.
“Mostly speeding heavy vehicles, including trucks and hiwa, are involved in the accidents. The movement of these vehicles between Booty More and Khelgoan is high as it is the main road leading towards Jamshedpur via Ranchi,” Kumar said.
The department plans to put up ‘go-slow’ signs on the Y-turns and the T-turns and also place rumble strips on the two stretches to slow down vehicles. The department aims to replace the continuous speed breakers with PVC speed breakers, as the latter slows down the vehicles without affecting its balance.
The traffic attenuators, including water filled plastic drums, would be used to prevent wrong-side driving in Khelgoan area. The smart signaling system would be installed in front of Khelgaon stadium.
The department would also put up reflective vinyl at the sharp turns. The trees, which are posing hindrance in movement of vehicles, would also be pruned.
Traffic SP said, “Safety measures in the surveyed areas located in suburbs of Ranchi city are important to reduce accidents. Similar step would be taken in other areas. A partial survey has already been done on the Ratu road-Tilta Chowk road.”