Another cyclist crushed under truck in city

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 21

Though Ludhiana has high fatality rate of road accidents, no concrete measures are being taken to ensure safety of commuters on the city roads. A 65-year-old cyclist was crushed under a vehicle near Jodhewal Basti on Wednesday morning.

The victim, identified as Jaswant Singh of Tibba Road, died on the spot. He used to make and repair sofas.

The police have registered an FIR against an unidentified driver. Investigating officer Jaswinder Singh said: “We checked CCTV cameras. We observed that the unidentified driver was trying to park the truck on the roadside when the cyclist got crushed under it.”

A member of national road safety council, Kamaljit Soi, said: “Ludhiana being number 1 in fatality rate of road accidents is the most deadly and unsafe city of India. The fatality rate is nearly 70% here. In 2017, 380-400 persons had lost their lives in road mishaps. As it is a major concern here, there is a need to take necessary steps.”

He said: “There is need to create fear of being caught and fear of being punished. The enforcement of law is very much needed.”

Most city areas lack footpaths due to which pedestrians are forced to walk on roads. Besides, the MC has also failed to pay attention to broken footpaths that are available in only some parts of the city. Improper zebra crossings and unavailability of traffic signals at various intersections give an open invitation to mishaps.

A former PAU employee, Manjit Singh Mehram, said: “People are afraid to walk or cycle on the city roads. There should be separate lanes for cyclists. The footpaths are either non-existent or if existing, they are in a bad shape or encroached on by vendors. Besides, the authorities should make a plan for construction of footpaths for pedestrians at busy places in the city. Many families have been ruined by these road mishaps but I don’t know when the district administration would wake up. The police should keep vigil on speeding vehicles and ensure implementation of the rules.

Wake-up call for dist admn

"People are afraid to walk or cycle on the city roads. There should be separate lanes for cyclists. The footpaths are either non-existent or if existing, they are in a bad shape or encroached on by vendors. Many families have been ruined by these road mishaps but I don’t know when the district administration would wake up."  Manjit Singh Mehram, a resident