In the wake of the recent tragic bus mishap at Kalinga Ghat in Ganjam district, Transport Principal Secretary Bishnupada Sethi has asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the State Department of Works to conduct a safety survey of all Ghat roads in the State.
In the recent past, many fatal road accidents have occurred in the Ghats and hilly areas. The hilly/Ghat roads are generally vulnerable because a single accident results in multiple fatalities.
In the late night on May 24, the accident occurred on the Kalinga Ghat in which six tourists from West Bengal died on the spot and many people sustained grievous injuries and are still struggling for life in hospitals.
A few days earlier, another accident had occurred in the Dwarsuni Ghat in Mayurbhanj district. As reported by the local RTO, the driver was driving the vehicle at high speed and could not negotiate at the curve in the Ghat area and the vehicle skidded over hazardous materials like stone, electric poles which were lying on the side of road.
The RTO also reported that chevron signage, road markings and stud reflectors were not found on the spot. At many locations, crash barriers were also damaged, he said.
“In view of the vulnerability, hilly/ Ghat roads are to be maintained properly. The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, therefore, has directed to take all possible safety measures like putting crash barriers, etc., in the hilly areas,” Sethi has pointed out in his letter.
He has sought a report in this regard within one month for the perusal of the Chief Secretary.