Flawed design is being blamed for accidents on the Balliwala flyover. Ever since its inauguration on July 5, 2017, six people have lost their lives in accidents on the flyover.
On late Monday night, a student of DAV PG College met a tragic death when the scooty, he was driving, hit the parapet at the place where the flyover takes a curve. The impact of the collision was so high that the youngster was thrown below the flyover. He sustained severe head injury which resulted in his death in the hospital.
The newly constructed flyover has attained a notorious distinction of being a hot spot of accidents. In February this year two students in three days lost their lives in accidents on the flyover. Similarly, two accidents in October last year resulted in death of three youths.
The administration which unfortunately has got a habit of waking up after some incident, has now decided to put up additional railing on the parapet of the flyover.
The Balliwala flyover on the Chakrata road remained mired in controversies ever since work on its started on September 1, 2013. The original design of the flyover had four lanes but later it was converted into two lanes. The shape, design and the elevation of the structure was questioned when it finally became operational. These questions have resurfaced with spate of accidents on the flyover.
When contacted, the Chief Engineer Public Works Department (PWD) National Highways division, Hari Om Sharma said that there is no problem with the design of the flyover. He said that the elevation of the structure is also as per the norms. On the question of curvature of the flyover, Sharma said the road below the flyover is also curved and the flyover also follows the curve. He attributed the accidents on the flyover on high speed.
“The department has put up notice boards that the vehicles should not exceed the speed limit of 40 Km per hour but the limit is being exceeded. The deaths are unfortunate and now we have decided to put up an additional railing on the parapet,” he said.
The work on Balliwala flyover was started on September 1, 2013, the task of constructing 795 meter long structure handed over to EPIl. Many allegations were levelled by the locals who were agitated by the delay in construction and change in design of the flyover. The issue of land acquisition and the compensation were taken to the Uttarakhand High Court which set up a deadline for its construction.
