NWKRTC survey flags 168 accident-prone spots in Belagavi district

Belagavi: The Central Safety and Vigilance team of North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), in coordination with the police, has identified 168 accident-prone ‘black spots' across six revenue districts under its jurisdiction. The highest number of 48 black spots was identified in Belagavi and Chikodi divisions in Belagavi district.According to a survey, of these 48 black spots, 34 were in the Chikkodi division and 14 in Belagavi division. Officials said an extensive network of narrow roads has contributed to Chikodi accounting for such a large number of accident-prone areas. NWKRTC's Belagavi divisional controller Kempanna Gudennavar told TOI a separate divisional survey identified 25 black spots within Belagavi division limits, while the central vigilance survey flagged 14. "We are working towards implementing corrective measures at these locations," he said. The survey report identified around 50 black spots on National Highways within the jurisdiction of the corporation, which covers Belagavi, Karwar, Gadag, Bagalkot, Dharwad and Haveri districts. Ganesh Rathod, the chief safety and vigilance officer, NWKRTC, said: "Based on historical data, feedback from drivers and reports from line-checking staff, we pinpointed locations that require additional safety measures. Addressing these will benefit not just NWKRTC buses, but all road users." He noted that even experienced drivers with exemplary safety records are left struggling at times due to poor road design, lack of signages, and other infrastructural shortcomings. Among the suggested remedial measures were improved signages, installation of reflective sticks, better lane segregation, solar lighting — particularly on vulnerable stretches — and rectification of engineering defects. Rathod said PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi took a keen interest in addressing these issues. One review meeting has already been held, while one more is scheduled for Feb 25 in Hubballi. "Unless road deficiencies are rectified, merely targeting drivers will not solve the problem. Even a 25% reduction in accidents will mark a significant progress," Rathod said.