Rains destroy road network in ASR district, cops identify 96 black spots

Visakhapatnam: The incessant rains since July 18 have majorly destroyed the road network in many mandals of ASR districts. The scenario is worse in Chintoor division.

Driving on ghat roads from Visakhapatnam to Araku, Visakhapatnam to Chintpalli and Araku to Paderu is a risky affair as landslides have been reported at regular intervals.

The police have identified 96 black spots where road widening and putting up of speed breakers are required. The works would be taken up after the monsoons, ASR district SP Amit Bardar told Deccan Chronicle on Thursday.

The highest number of black spots, 15, were noticed in areas under the G Madugula police station, as also eight each under Koyyuru and Rampachodavaram police stations, seven under Araku Valley and five each in Munchingput, Peda Bayulu, Dumbrigua, Ananthagiri and Annavaram police station limits, he said.

Another official said road renovation works at important locations would be taken up soon and crash barricades would be set up at dangerous curves on the ghat road. The 26km ghat road that stretches from Minimuluru in Paderu mandal to Garikabanda in V Madugula mandal is cited to be the most dangerous.

Motorists often told the media that there was no proper maintenance of the roads built more than 70 years ago. A former civil engineer said the retaining walls were not strong enough to protect even two wheeler riders.

In the event of an accident, the entire traffic comes to a halt. A school teacher said jungle clearance used to be done after every monsoon season but this has not been taken up in recent years. This year, the work began recently.

On April 27 last year, a car carrying three individuals -- couple Subba Rao and Maheswari and another person -- plunged into a gorge near Vantlamamidi under Paderu mandal. On August 20, two persons lost their lives and over 20 were injured when an RTC bus fell into a valley near a view point under Paderu mandal.