Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 13 February 2023
On 10th of February 2023, a teacher lost his life after encountering an accident at Bambooflat. The accident was caused by a fully loaded heavy vehicle.
Mrs. V D Leju, a Social Worker from Hope Town Village, has written to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, suggesting several reforms to avoid fatal accidents caused by Heavy Vehicles such as tippers, trucks, etc.
Mrs. Leju informed the Chief Secretary that the site of the fatal accident in Bambooflat, where the teacher lost his life, is a very dangerous spot on the road. She added that there is a sudden curve with gradual elevation at the spot, and the vehicles coming from opposite sides cannot see each other until they get too close. She further mentioned that many accidents have occurred in the past at the same place, and speed breakers must be constructed on the said stretch.
She also demanded that Speed Breakers be constructed in all accident-prone zones. Police Stations should be responsible for identifying areas where speed breakers must be constructed. The same should be intimated to the respective Executive Engineers of APWD by the Police Station.
Mrs. Leju also informed the Chief Secretary that the commuters face problems due to the plying of heavy vehicles on roads during peak hours. She added that the risk of accidents is higher in Port Blair City, but commuters in Sub-Urban areas also have to deal with heavy vehicles carrying iron rods, pipes, bamboo, and other things protruding outside the body frame of the vehicles.
Mrs. Leu also informed that some trucks are seen carrying sand, dust, and earth without covering it properly, which causes great inconvenience to others.
Mrs. Leju requested that trucks should not be allowed to carry objects larger than the size of the vehicle. She also requested to ban the plying of the tipper, trucks, etc., during peak hours throughout the Islands, especially near schools.
She further requested that Motor Vehicles Department and other law enforcement agencies take stern action against the violators. She demanded that vehicle owners should be made co-accused with the driver in case of fatal accidents or accidents causing amputation and other lifelong implications for the victims.