Seven accident-prone sites identified in Ambala district

The authorities have identified seven accident-prone spots in Ambala district where 185 accidents have been reported in which 88 persons lost their lives while 116 were injured since 2022.

Stretches of the NH-44 near Jaggi City Centre, Kalka Chowk, Ambala Cantonment bus stand, Ambala Haveli Mohri, Manav Chowk, Polytechnic Chowk in Ambala City and Maharaja Agrasen Chowk in Naraingarh are the identified accident-prone areas.

As per data, on the NH-44 stretch near Jaggi City Centre, 52 accidents have been reported since 2022 in which 27 people were killed, eight sustained serious injuries and 17 suffered minor injuries. On the stretch near Kalka Chowk, 39 accidents were reported since 2022 in which 17 people were killed, six suffered grievous injuries while 16 suffered minor injuries. On the Ambala Cantonment bus stand stretch, 41 accidents were reported during this period in which 19 persons were killed, seven were grievously injured and 15 suffered minor injuries.

On the stretch of Ambala Haveli near Mohri, 16 accidents have been reported in this period in which 10 persons were killed, two suffered grievous injuries while four suffered minor injuries. In Ambala City’s Mavan Chowk area, 19 accidents have been reported since 2022 in which five persons were killed, three were grievously injured while 11 suffered minor injuries. On the Polytechnic Chowk stretch, 17 accidents were reported, in which five persons lost their lives, three suffered serious injuries and nine suffered minor injuries.

In Naraingarh’s Agrasen Chowk area, 20 accidents have taken place in which five were killed, 10 grievously injured and five suffered minor injuries.

Ambala Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta, during a meeting with district officials, expressed concerns over the accidents and deaths and directed the departments concerned to take corrective measures. He said there were 15-20 black spots and appropriate action would be taken to stop accidents, for which officials of PWD (B&R) and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) have been directed to take the required steps in stipulated timeframe.

He further said that the General Manager of roadways has been directed to ensure that no bus makes a halt outside the bus stands, else action will be taken. The Sub-divisional Magistrates have been asked to prepare a list of unauthorised openings/slipways on the main roads in Ambala City and Cantonment as the entry of vehicles from such places is one of the major reasons of accidents.

The DC said, “The officials have been directed to take the required measures to stop the accidents and also run awareness drives to make people aware of the traffic rules. The number of accidents can come down if people start following traffic rules. The traffic police teams will issue challans to traffic offenders, impose fines and suspend licence of repeat offenders. The officials have also been directed to repair the roads, widen the stretches if required and also install reflectors.”

“Directions have also been issued to the departments concerned to repair roads, ensure white markings before the fog season begins and remove encroachments from the national highways and the city roads. The Forest Department has also been asked to trim the trees. All efforts are being made to reduce the number of accidents and save lives,” said Gupta.