NTPC Employees Death: Odisha MLA Seeks Repair Of Accident-Prone Stretches, Speed Limit For Trippers

Sundargarh/Bhubaneswar: A day after two NTPC employees were mowed down by a truck at Balijori Chhak under Sadar police limits in Sundargarh district, BJP MLA Kusum Tete on Wednesday expressed concern over loss of lives in accidents on the road stretch from Sundargarh to Balinga and Kanika to Belpahar.

In a letter to district collector Nikhil Pavan Kalyan on Wednesday, she requested him to improve traffic management and the condition of the road between Sundargarh and Balinga, besides restricting entry of coal-loaded trailer and truck to Kanika village.

“Many proceedings have been drawn with MCL, district administration and public, but the authorities are not implementing it properly leading to loss of lives due to negligence,” the Sundargarh MLA said.

She also suggested some steps to ensure proper implementation of the zero-accident rule.

1. Control dangerous driving, especially by coal-loaded trippers, by fixing the speed limit at 10 km/ hour with arrangement for CCTV surveillance at various points. Violators should be fined and the licence cancelled.

2. Check overloading and spillage of coal to prevent mishaps and pollution.

3. Cover the carrier with tarpaulin to prevent coal dust pollution and impose penalties for violations as per provision.

4. Surprise checking by authority to detect drunken driving. Illegal parking along the road and overtaking should be stopped forthwith as the 7 metre wide road does not support smooth movement.

5. Compensation as per the proceedings are not adequate and should be increased and properly implemented.

(The meeting on road accident held on June 10, 2016, had decided that compensation of Rs 3 lakh will be paid in case of death up to the age of 60 years, and Rs 1 lakh for those above 60 years. For permanent disabled person Rs 1 iakh compensation along with free medical treatment will be provided. It will be borne by the company/transporter)

6. Immediate repair of potholes on the road.

7. Steps should be taken to widen Sundargarh-Balinga Road as per the IRC specification standard or stop plying of multi-axle long vehicles.

8. The road from Kanika to Belpahar is also in very bad state and not at all suitable for vehicular traffic.