Blackspots are defined as 500-metre stretches with at least five accidents and 10 fatalities in the past three years
TIRUPATI: Andhra Pradesh continues to grapple with an escalating road safety crisis, particularly in districts of Tirupati, Chittoor and Nellore, which have numerous blackspots along the national and state highways passing through them. The frequency of accidents and fatalities at these blackspots is high, underscoring the urgent need for authorities to intervene.
According to a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) report in December 2024, AP has 1,202 blackspots on its national highways, with Chittoor district accounting for 41, Nellore 71 and Tirupati 34.
Blackspots are defined as 500-metre stretches with at least five accidents and 10 fatalities in the past three years. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and MoRTH are responsible for identifying and managing such hazardous zones.
Factors that lead to accidents include road design flaws like sharp curves, and inadequate banking and poor visibility, especially on the ghat roads. Inadequate signage, poor lighting, heavy traffic and speeding increase the risk of accidents.
Authorities have made efforts to address these issues. 901 blackspots have been rectified with short-term measures, upgradation to 2 / 4 / 6 lanes, and construction of flyovers, service roads and junction improvements at a cost of ₹1,649 crore, according to MoRTH’s February 2025 report. Chittoor rectified eight blackspots using ₹158.07 crore, Nellore 50 with ₹6.02 crore and Tirupati 18 with ₹52 crore.
Further, Chittoor district administration has launched a month-long Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan this month, as part of the 36th National Highway Security Awareness Month. District collector Sumit Kumar reported 400 road accident deaths in 2022 and 703 in 2023, which decreased to 373 in 2024, though injuries rose to 792. Two-wheeler riders, especially those without helmets, had been the most affected.
In Nellore district, a combination of heavy vehicular traffic and speeding has made several spots particularly dangerous. For instance, the turn leading from the Venkatachalam-Muthukur main road towards Tikkavarappadu has become infamous for frequent accidents, endangering residents from nearby villages who commute to Nellore. Out of the 180-km long national highway in Nellore, 50 blackspots have been rectified, but many remain unsafe.
For example, the Krishnapatnam Port road, burdened by heavy industrial traffic, witnesses accidents daily at Sarvepalli, Tatiparthipalem, Tikkavarappadu, Kasumuru, and Kanupuru. Users of this road have been asking authorities to install signboards and speed breakers, especially at the Pawan Colony turn in Chemudugunta panchayat, where three fatalities occurred in one month.
A senior road safety official has suggested that road users practise defensive driving, maintain safe distances, stay alert, minimise distractions, adjust speed to conditions, use seat belts, and exercise caution at intersections. “While we are striving to enhance safety and rectify blackspots, drivers must also be alert and adhere to traffic rules for preventing accidents,” he underlined.
