Indore rural roads turn deadly: 15 black spots claim 112 lives in three years

Indore: A total of 15 black spots marked by traffic department in rural Indore resulted in deaths of 112 people due to 170 reported road accidents in the last three calendar years.Most of the black spots are on AB Road — Bherughat culvert in Manpur and Kshipra. Kshipra has a maximum of five spots. One of the black spots emerged during an under-construction flyover, which is meant to solve traffic jams, in Arjun Badod village. However, the bad condition of the service road and a lack of lighting arrangements led to accidents at this spot, including fatal ones."At most of the black spots on AB Road, including those in Kshipra, there is poor geometric alignment, sharp curves with inadequate radius and ‘blind spots' that obstruct the driver's view," a farmer leader Bablu Jadav told TOI, adding that a lack of proper street lighting and overgrown vegetation on road shoulders that hide oncoming traffic at intersections also led to accidents.A resident of Kishanganj Ajay Patidar highlighted that speeding on highways and a lack of protective gear among two-wheeler riders led to deaths. "Besides, the absence of forgiving road features such as crash barriers, rumble strips and proper signage also results in accidents," he said. There are three black spots in Kishanganj area, including those near Tihi culvert, Pigdambar square and near Maa Vaishnodevi dhaba.IG (rural) Anurag said traffic management is responsibility of the respective police station in the area. Ironically, Indore traffic wing of the city has two police stations, along with a staff of around 1000 personnel, as well as all the equipment and vehicles, while the rural wing has only one DSP to co-ordinate with neighbouring districts and for other ‘clerical' work. "We wrote to the headquarters, informing them of our requirements, including a traffic police station, staff, equipment and vehicles," DSP Umakant Choudhary told TOI.The IG said that efforts were on to meet the requirements of the traffic wing of the rural area."Staff at the police stations in rural areas managed traffic-related arrangements. Besides, the road safety committee regularly reviews traffic issues, including steps to remove black spots and as per their decisions, the agencies concerned, including the respective police stations of the rural areas, act in co-ordination," he said.