Andhra Pradesh roads filled with death traps

 

The proposed capital region of Andhra Pradesh that extends up to Guntur has the second highest number of “black spots” on roads, after East Godavari, in the state. A preliminary survey by the government has revealed there are 1,091 killer spots in 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh.

 

Sources said the “black spots” were divided into three categories based on the number of accidents in the last three years. If 10 or more people died at the same stretch of the road, it was categorised as “A-category black spot.” Likewise, for casualties between five and 10 at the same spot, it was designated as ‘B category black spot’ and less than 5 deaths as ‘C category spots.’

 

The survey was taken up as a part of an ambitious project to make Andhra Pradesh accident-proof as far as possible. The black spots were highest in East Godavari district as the road safety wing officials and the traffic cops identified 188 of them followed by 150 in Guntur district.

 

The West Godavari stands third in terms of number of black spots with 140 of them followed by Chittoor (95), Kadapa (92), Prakasam (81), Visakhapatnam (74), Vizianagaram (60), Srikakulam (57), Kurnool (49), Nellore, Anantapur and Krishna (35 each).

 

Officials confirmed that the state government is preparing an action plan to rectify the road curvature, expand culverts and make correction of road design. Nearly Rs 150 crore action plan is being prepared to attend and rectify the black spots.

 

The transport minister, S. Raghava Rao said   that the action plan will be implemented in the next six months. Sign boards would be installed.