I am concerned about the amount of occurrences of accidents in NH-29 between Chumu and Dimapur , Living near the highway and plying this road daily I have come across a number of accidents taking place so much that if a week goes by without accidents it was a wonder, also most accidents goes unreported in the paper. Even today as I was going down I came across a body run over by a truck except for the legs that remained...I was perturbed but wasn’t surprised as it had happened in the past and will occur again if some steps are not taken for road safety. Here are few points to ponder and resolve.
1. The two –lane road is too small seeing the number of vehicles plying this road is fitted for four-lane road.
2. No road divider and random overtaking has led to a number of accidents.
3. No signposts for many approach roads from every corner and adjoining the highway.
4. No speed limits (some even plying at 80- 100km/hr).
5. Rash and inexperienced drivers, drunken drivers and even minors without driving license or without any knowledge of traffic rules and regulations are plying the roads as there is no law and order when it comes to the road.
6. No police or flying squads to arrest and control speeding, drunken or erratic drivers.
7. No infrastructure nor even lights or stoppage by the police for the pedestrians to cross over in fact the pedestrians have to cross at a lightning speed to prevent being hit by vehicles.
8. Speeding truck drivers especially from other states, transport vehicles and army wagons are the major cause of accidents.
9. Overtaking of vehicles from wrong sides by bikers, autos and taxis contribute to causing accidents.
So, it is my earnest request to the police department, the transport and the state government to look into the peril of this deadly road which will soon claim more lives if not dealt with soon.
