lagan season sees more blood spilling over the national highways here in Palamu. There are two NHs - one NH 75 and the other NH 98. Both saw loss of lives of several baratis this lagan season.
On May 30, an auto rickshaw loaded with tilak performers crashed with a speedy Scorpio vehicle on NH 98 leading to three people dying on the spot. Two died during treatment. Two weeks back there were similar losses of lives.
There were more than half a dozen accidents in just 30 days time here in Palamu this lagan season, leading to loss of lives.
The number of injured is far higher on the highways. Village roads are a bit safer if compared to the loss statistics of NHs in Palamu.
The Pioneer spoke to a cross-section of people to know the high rise in road accidents in lagan season. A driver said, "My garee wala (read vehicle owner) wants me to do as many trips as possible no matter even if I have a cat sleep for half an hour or not at night. But drive and drive and this results in mishap."
Smaller vehicles fall prey to accidents more often than bigger ones. What happens in Palamu in lagan season to baratis/tilak performers happens with mazdoors on their home coming here from far off places when they sit dangerously on their paddy bags in an already overloaded trucks and lorries which just go upside down at any sharp curve of NHs.
Over-loading of vehicle is another major cause of accident. How many can one expect to sit in an auto rickshaw - 6, 7 or 8 - maximum. The Pioneer confronted with one loaded auto rickshaw having 16 men and women sitting even on its precarious roof top. An auto rickshaw driver does in Palamu what no magician can even dream of.
Poor road sense and excessive glee on NHs during lagan season hastens accidents. DJ sound, high pitched Nagpuri songs and a terrible haste to reach bride's house for drink and food leave everyone from driver to baratis restless throwing all caution to the winds on NHs.