The reconstructed Kasaragod-Kanhangad State Highway continues to be a nightmare not only for motorists but even for pedestrians on the stretch passing through thickly populated coastal areas.
The latest victim of reckless driving is a fisherman, K. Raghavan, 50, who was fatally knocked down by a vehicle around 9 p.m. on Saturday, the police said.
The accident occurred when the car proceeding towards Kasaragod from Kanhangad hit him at Bekal. Raghavan, a resident of the locality, could not be saved despite rushing him to a hospital at nearby Uduma and later in Kasaragod.
The incident happened barely days after a 60-year-old cyclist was killed by a private bus at the nearby Trikkannad locality on February 12 . On February 9, 45-year-old Ashraf met with a similar fate after his motorcycle was involved in a road accident at the Chaliyangod locality on the refurbished and widened road.
Tough time
It has become extremely difficult for pedestrians to cross the road as vehicles are found to be speeding, violating all norms.
The road, reconstructed under the supervision of the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), has been witnessing a marked increase in traffic as several interstate multi-axle trucks, including fish-laden and LPG tankers, are found to be opting the smooth road skipping the narrow, circuitous National Highway.
Kanhangad Dy.SP K. Damodaran said he would draw the immediate attention of the District Police Chief to the need to divert at least heavy vehicles plying through the coastal highway. The increased traffic has begun to cause frequent jams in the Kanhangad town too.
A lack of road sense, especially among the new-generation motorists, can be attributed to the increased number of accidents along the 28-km stretch, he said.
