KOCHI: Athani, the main junction on the National Highway stretch between Aluva and Angamaly, has the dubious distinction of witnessing vehicle crashes accident every 30 minutes in a day.
The reason: the unscientific installation of traffic signals at the junction. The culprit: NHAI authorities who are yet to identify the dangerous black spot in the busy junction.
"Installing signal lights here was a good decision," said Paul Kachappily, vice-president of Athani Merchants Association. "However, the lights for this specific route is installed improperly. Vehicles coming from Paravoor and Mala do not see the traffic lights, thereby causing accidents. We hear the sounds of vehicles clashing at least every half hour." The fact that not many severe injuries or death has been reported here is the only relief for daily commuters. "But the damage caused to vehicles due to such accidents is substantial enough," said Paul.
Subhair, a shopkeeper, also said the improper installation angle of the lights makes it 'invisible' to most drivers. "All of a sudden, a driver sees a red light and puts a sudden break, and vehicles coming behind it clash with each other. The signals also get covered by the leaves and branches of adjacent trees," he said. "While two sets of traffic lights are installed in every direction, one among the two sets on the Paravoor-Aluva route has been nonfunctional for months. This forces drivers to look at the lights kept at the wrong angle," he said.
Melvin Varghese, a local resident, said while vehicles going from Aluva to Angamaly are confined to the signal, the vehicles going from Aluva to Paravoor are not, thereby creating chances of another crash when the vehicles from both directions meet each other. Shihab Mohammed, a taxi driver, said accidents have increased after the installation of the signal lights and because the lights are not visible. He said a car crashed into the light and twisted it into an improper angle.
The whole area is under the administration of NHAI Palakkad. However, when Express contacted officers, they said they have not received any complaints yet. "We are unaware of any issues. We will take necessary action if we get a complaint," said an NHAI Palakkad officer. The junction connecting NH 47 with the roads from Manjaly-Paravoor area, and from Mala, lies a junction next to the Nedumbassery Airport road. Thus, lies a common spot for both accidents and red-tapism of authorities.
It is alleged the improper installation angle of signal lights makes it 'invisible' to most drivers
The fact that not many severe injuries or death has been reported here is the only relief for daily commuters