Travel with caution: under-construction NH 66 in Keralam turns into a death trap

The horrific crash on National Highway 66 at Kaipamangalam in Thrissur that killed eight engineering students has thrown the spotlight on what local residents and activists describe as dangerous safety lapses along the under-construction highway.The midnight tragedy at Panampikkunnu, in which a car carrying eight students of PSNA College of Engineering and Technology in Dindigul rammed the rear of a parked goods lorry, has triggered fresh questions about inadequate warning systems, confusing diversions, illegal parking and speeding on one of Keralam’s busiest highways.Local residents say as many as three accidents occured in the same spot in the last three days. As many as 23 lives were lost in the 10 years, they alleged.“The under-construction highway has become extremely dangerous. There are stretches without proper warning boards or traffic-management measures. Illegal parking and overspeeding are adding to the risk. Many of the stretches on the NH 66 do not have proper lighting,” said social activist Latheef Kettummal.Lack of warning signsOne of the major concerns raised by residents is the lack of clear warning signs at diversion points.At Kaipamangalam, vehicles travelling along the main highway are required to leave the carriageway and move onto a service road near the point where the bypass begins. However, local residents allege that there are no prominent signs warning motorists about the sudden change in route.“A small concrete barrier has been placed across the road,” they said, but without adequate advance warning.According to residents, an accident had occurred at the same spot about two weeks ago when a car hit the concrete structure. Two people were injured.Just before Friday night’s tragedy, another car had reportedly narrowly escaped an accident at the same location.The lorry involved in the fatal crash was allegedly parked behind the concrete barrier, making it difficult for motorists travelling from Guruvayur towards Kodungallur to spot it in time, residents said.They also pointed to another possible danger: the difficulty in immediately determining whether a vehicle ahead was moving or parked, particularly at night on a poorly marked diversion stretch.Illegal parkingResidents further alleged that three goods lorries had been illegally parked at the spot when the accident occurred. They claimed that two of the lorries left the area shortly after the crash.The impact of the collision was so severe that the car was almost completely crushed beneath the rear of the lorry. Rescuers faced a grim and difficult task.Local residents, ambulance crews, police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel worked for a long time to reach the occupants trapped inside the mangled vehicle. The lorry had to be moved and car had to be pulled out before the rescue operation could proceed.“All the victims were severely injured. The car had been completely crushed,” said Shahul, an ambulance driver who was among the first to reach the scene.He said only one of the eight occupants showed faint signs of life when rescuers reached them.“We recovered the mobile phone of the student who was driving the car and contacted his relatives to inform them about the accident,” Mr. Shahul said.The survivor also died before reaching the hospital.Police have registered a case against the driver of the lorry and launched a search for him.Probe into accidentThrissur Rural Police chief Mohammed Nadeemuddin said investigators were examining all circumstances surrounding the crash, including the possibility of safety lapses on the part of highway authorities.“We are investigating the cause of the accident. Action will be taken against illegal parking. We are also examining whether there were any lapses in safety arrangements by the highway authorities. Preventive measures will be strengthened to avoid such accidents,” he said.Minister O.J. Janeesh, however, squarely blamed what he described as negligence by the National Highways Authority of India in ensuring adequate road safety.“The failure to ensure proper safety measures will be investigated. Human lives cannot be treated lightly,” the Minister said, alleging that lapses in safety arrangements had contributed to the tragedy.NHAI denies lapsesThe National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has rejected allegations of negligence, maintaining that adequate safety measures were in place at the construction site.In a statement issued after the accident, the NHAI said overspeeding and illegal parking were responsible for the crash. It said the highway construction stretch had sufficient safety arrangements and assured full cooperation with the investigation.The tragedy has now brought a wider question into sharp focus: how safe are motorists on a highway that is still under construction but continues to carry heavy traffic every day?