Chungam retains its accident-prone status

A petroleum tanker lorry taking a sharp turn on the mini-bypass, near the government guest house, at West Hill Chungam in Kozhikode, where there was a major accident last year involving an LPG tanker lorry. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

It was on March 29 that a tanker lorry carrying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) overturned on a goods autorickshaw, killing its driver on the spot, at a tough and sharp turning on the mini-bypass road at West Hill Chungam in the city last year.

The accident that gave untold miseries to hundreds of residents in the area for more than 24 hours had raised questions about the serious breach of safety and security norms on the part of the oil companies as well as the State government.

The West Hill Chungam Residential Association, a collective of residents in the area, which is one of the most accident-prone spots in the region, conducted a detailed study of the accident with the help of experts and suggested scientific ways to avoid such accidents in future.

However, no action has been taken by the authorities even after a year, say members of the association.

The association’s members say that the authorities have also not acted upon the FIR filed by the police against the violators of norms in the accident.

“The authorities have also not duly compensated the victims of the accident based on the insurance scheme, which is mandatory for any vehicle that transports explosive substance under the Public Liability Act,” says Mr. Kesavan Nambisan, secretary of the association.

Some of the suggestions made by the study report submitted to various authorities in the State include widening of the road to make manoeuvring of heavy vehicles easy.

The road is narrow in some parts with steep rise and sharp curves, especially in the area where the accident took place.

Strong fencing

It also pointed out the need for strong fencing on one side of the steep and curving road and for restricting passage of tanker lorries and other heavy vehicles on the road until proper widening works and other security measures are ensured.

But the suggestions have not yet been given due consideration.

The association is, therefore, planning to make its voice heard louder by other means.

“We have already decided to fix an appointment with the new District Collector,” says Mr. Nambisan.