Kolkata: Spurt in truck accidents as closed routes take toll

KOLKATA: Multiple fatal truck accidents reported across the city since the beginning of the New Year have led the police to brainstorm for solutions.
A 63-year-old man was run over by a truck near Garia in the wee hours of Monday when he was on the way to his office in Raniganj. This is the 14th major accident in the city in a span of 20 days this year. The victim, Rajat Dutta Roy, a resident of Garia’s Purbapara, was waiting for his daughter at a bus stop, according to the police.

Most accidents involving trucks are taking place after the “traffic hours” — 10pm when traffic cops are discharged from duty for the day.However, cops are thinking whether the abrupt change in routes with the closure of several bridges and more focus on bikes and buses are triggering a spurt in truck accidents in the city. The morning fog also makes it difficult for those at the wheels of trucks, said the police. “The local police officers can guide the truck drivers and take action against them if they resort to reckless driving,” said a Lalbazar officer.
Most accidents were reported from three zones like Hastings, Bypass connectors and Canal Road. Unlike this year, the number of truck accidents came down to 313 in 2019 from 373 in 2018.
“The closure of several bridges, especially Tallah Bridge and Kidderpore Bridge has disturbed the movement of trucks. We need to fix certain specific routes to ensure that trucks can use the Strand Road or EM Bypass at night from the north. They should not take Beniapukur and Entally where three accidents were reported this month,” said the police.
Ever since the Majerhat Bridge collapse and closure of Tallah Bridge, it is not possible for cops to check all intersections, though night checks have been strengthened. “With managing the trucks crossing DH Road, Karunamoyee Bridge, RG Kar Road and Chitpore Lock Gate, most of our night forces are getting stuck there,” added the police.