Risk of accidents rises due to missing glass panel on elevated corridor
Ranchi. The elevated corridor constructed from Piska More to Raj Bhavan to relieve the capital, Ranchi, of traffic congestion has significantly eased travel for the public. Since its construction, traffic jams on major city routes have decreased notably, and thousands of people benefit from it daily. However, serious questions have now arisen regarding the safety measures of this vital project.
Special glass panels were installed along the edges of the elevated corridor for safety purposes, aimed at protecting motorists and pedestrians. Yet, these panels are missing from several locations on the route leading towards the ITI bus stand. Locals allege that these safety panels have been stolen, but replacements have not yet been installed.
Looming Safety Threat
The glass panels installed along the flyover's edges are not merely for aesthetics; they are a crucial component of safety. Their absence has not only compromised the flyover's safety infrastructure but also heightened the risk of serious accidents. The situation could turn perilous if a speeding vehicle were to lose control.
The Big Question: Who Is Responsible in the Event of an Accident?
Locals argue that the relevant agencies must take immediate action regarding these exposed sections. The gravest concern is: who would be held accountable if a distressed individual, an anti-social element, or anyone else took advantage of these open spaces to jump off the flyover, or if any other type of accident occurred?
People state that such negligence regarding the safety of a project built at a cost of crores of rupees is unacceptable. If the missing glass panels are not replaced promptly, the possibility of an untoward incident in the future cannot be ruled out.
Questions Raised About Monitoring Systems
The disappearance of the glass panels has also raised questions about maintenance and monitoring protocols. Locals believe that regular inspections would have prevented such a situation from arising. Ultimately, safety equipment installed on such a crucial route went missing without the concerned agencies even becoming aware of it.
NHAI's Stance Not Yet Available
To ascertain the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) position on this matter, a correspondent from 'M Bharat 24 News Live' attempted to contact Project Director Vijay Kumar. A response was sought via telephone, but no reply had been received by the time this report was filed.
Demand for Immediate Action
Local residents and regular commuters have demanded that the NHAI reinstall the missing glass panels as soon as possible and conduct a comprehensive review of the flyover's safety measures. They argue that this elevated corridor—which provides relief from traffic congestion—must be equally robust in terms of safety to prevent the possibility of any accidents or untoward incidents.
