ERUMELI: The ill-reputation that Kanamala has earned over the years as a death trap to lakhs of Sabarimala-bound pilgrims, in addition to a vast populace living in the fringes of forests, thanks to the ever mounting incidence of vehicle accidents and loss of lives, has not moved authorities to find a concrete solution to the problem if not to at least minimise the risk by going in for scientific improvements in the stretch.
It is a common phenomenon during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season that Kanamala Causeway and Attivalavu spots claims many lives in accidents.
It is at the same spot where eight pilgrims, including a van driver from Kottayam lost their lives on Vishu day last year, where Tuesday’s mishap took place.
In the season which ended recently, two persons were killed at the same spot in early December. In the last five years, more than 25 persons were killed in mishaps around the spot.
It is also a fact that all vehicles which met with the accident often fall into the same land holding of Kayunnupara Shaji, causing severe damage to rubber trees situated in the Valley.
The people in the area, who are sometimes irate and sometimes helpless over the alleged negative attitude of PWD authorities in rectifying technical issues related to the trouble spot, had formed an action council to mobilise public opinion. Under the aegis of the samiti, barricades were put at the spot, to open the eyes of authorities.