Date:25/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/25/stories/2006072507000100.htm

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Death trap for road users

Staff Reporter

Accidents a regular feature on the Kanagachettikulam-Pillaichavady stretch

PONDICHERRY: The stretch between Kanagachettikulam and Pillaichavady on East Coast Road has become a death trap for road users.

In 50 days, speeding vehicles killed four pedestrians and crushed to death a two-wheeler rider. Fifteen persons were injured in the accidents. Some of them are still in hospital.

The traffic police blame the bad condition of the three-km stretch and the delay in widening the road for the accidents.

Though this is the busiest stretch of the trunk road, only one side is operational. Near Pondicherry University medians have been constructed but the road expansion is yet to be taken up. The road is very narrow and often vehicles drive on the pavement. PWD officials say the expansion has been delayed because the Electricity Department has to re-locate electric posts and transformers. Re-laying of the road has only been done on certain sections.

As the expansion work is progressing slowly, the residents say there should be more patrolling by the traffic police to check speeding. "This could avoid many accidents and save lives," said Gurumurthy, a resident of Pillaichavady.