NH-10 in Hisar, where signboards mean nothing

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, June 30

A number of display boards have been installed on the 10-km stretch of the National Highway-10 between Hisar and Chikanwas village. But that counts for nothing given the number of accidents on the stretch.

Locals say the stretch from the BSF camp in the city to Chikanwas village leading to Sirsa has been the most prone to accidents though there are neither any curves nor bottlenecks.

The death of five members of a family in October last year was a horrific mishap when their car rammed into a truck coming from the opposite direction near Chikanwas. On February 13 this year, two youths were killed when a car in which they were travelling collided with a mini-truck near Dandoor village.

“Most of the mishaps occur because of the negligence of drivers. People drive fast on this stretch because it is a smooth road, resulting in accidents. Drunken driving and wild animals venturing out on roads are another reason,” says Surender Jangra, who sells fruit along the road.

In all, 255 persons were killed in road mishaps last year in the district. The data for Hisar range shows 402 fatal have resulted in the death of 375 persons this year. In all, 669 non-fatal accidents have been reported this year.

Rai Singh, Executive Engineer, National Highway, PWD, claim the rate of accidents have come down significantly in the past couple of years. “No doubt, this was the most dangerous stretch to drive on till a couple of years ago. But the department has installed a number of signboards along the stretch to caution drivers about the accident-prone area,” he says.

The NHAI, he says, will soon widen the road. “Once four-laned, the road will be safer for motorists,” the Executive Engineer adds.