The Bijapur Highway, a critical route connecting Appa Junction to Manneguda, has become a death trap, claiming 146 lives and injuring over 400 people in the past three years. Despite these harrowing statistics and widespread public outrage, the long-promised road expansion project remains stalled, highlighting the government’s indifference to public safety.
The highway, spanning 46 kilometers, is infamous for its hazardous turns and heavy traffic, making it a hotspot for fatal accidents. Recently, a tragic incident occurred near Mirjaguda Gate, where a couple from Poddutur, Lakshma Reddy and Bhagyamma, lost their lives. Just days later, a lorry crashed into a group of vegetable vendors at Aluru Stage near Chevella, resulting in four fatalities and critically injuring five others. These incidents are part of a disturbing trend, with 370 accidents reported on the highway in the last three years alone.
The Bijapur Highway is notorious for its 100 turns, 19 of which are considered particularly dangerous. Despite these alarming figures, the government has shown little urgency in addressing the issue. Politicians often tout road expansion as a key campaign promise but fail to follow through once elections are over.
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The proposal to expand the highway into a four-lane road was first put forward six years ago, with an estimated cost of Rs 828.41 crore. The project requires 288.55 hectares of land, including 154.50 hectares from private owners. Though the foundation stone for the expansion was laid by then Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on April 20, 2022, no work has yet been initiated. Bureaucratic delays and lawsuits filed by environmental groups, concerned about the removal of banyan trees along the route, have stalled progress.
As the death toll continues to rise, frustration among the public is reaching a boiling point. On Monday, a delegation led by BRA spokesperson P. Karthik Reddy filed a complaint with the Chevella RTO, demanding immediate action on the road expansion. The group also lodged a police complaint at the Chevella Police Station, holding the government accountable for the dangerous condition of the highway and the frequent accidents.
The inaction on the road expansion project has left many questioning the government’s commitment to public safety. Until concrete measures are taken to address the dangerous conditions of the Bijapur Highway, it will continue to claim innocent lives, turning what should be a vital route into a perilous journey for commuters.
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