The Tata-Hata Road has turned into an accident-prone zone due to the absence of speed-breakers, street lights and reflectors on the road. Considered to be an important link connecting Jamshedpur and Chaibasa in West Singhbhum district and Kolkata via Jadugora.
Ghatshila has witnessed as many as 15 fatal mishaps between the five km stretch from Karandih to Kudada during the last six months.
On one hand, the 20 km-long Tata-Hata State highway donot have speed-breakers and street-lights. And on the other hand, the traffic signs and reflectors which were installed to facilitate the riders have also been covered with overgrown bushes.
“For the past six months, at least five persons have died in road mishaps from Nandup village under Sundernagar Police Station. Most of the victims were young two-wheeler riders. Roads should be improved and this must be the top priority in the accident-reduction plan,” said K Uma, a city-based educationist.
Though, there were speed breakers earlier but in June 2013, the speed-breakers were removed by the road construction department. But mishaps increased as the reflectors put up by the department were covered with the bushes.
Another resident, Nitaynand Besra of Nildungri area said that the road construction department has adopted a negligent attitude towards cleaning the overgrown bushes on the sides of the road, that cover the reflectors which lead to road mishaps.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (law and order) BN Singh said that steps will be taken to reduce the speed of vehicles near human habitations.
“We will see to it that rash-driving is also checked with immediate effect, and for this we will look into exactly how many cases related to the road accidents have been registered and if the drivers who are accused of causing the mishap are being convicted”.
“There is a need to put speed breakers in the identified locations to curb the rising road mishaps. A meeting will be convened with the local officials, where all the traffic-related problems will be discussed,” said the senior traffic police officer.