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Mohali saw 10% spike in road accident deaths between 2021-22
Data presented in monthly road safety meeting reveals 80 blackspots in Mohali; shows that 1/4 fatalities occurred between 6-9 pm
The city witnessed a 10% spike in road accident fatalities between 2021 and 2022. The information was revealed during deputy commissioner Aashika Jain’s review of 80 blackspots on the district’s main roads at the monthly road safety meeting.
Sharing further details, road safety expert Charanjit Singh said 293 fatalities were reported in the district in 2022 — up from the 266 fatalities reported in 2021.
“The Ambala-Chandigarh stretch of NH-152 and the Kharar-Kurali of NH-205 have become the major contributors of road fatalities, with two road accident deaths being reported each kilometre each year,” he added.
The maximum number of blackspots 48, meanwhile, were on national highways, while 13 blackspots came under the jurisdiction of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), 10 under the municipal corporation and nine under the public works department.
Harpreet Singh, a road safety activist who attended the meeting, said that until February the number of blackspots were 75, while five more blackspots were identified later, taking the total to 80.
State traffic advisor Navdeep Asija, while quoting his report of study on traffic accidents spanning three years, said a majority of the blackspots have been identified on NH- 152 near Lalru, Derabassi, Zirakpur, Sadar Kharar and Sohana. Asija said around 62% of the total road accident fatalities from the last three years were reported at these four police stations.
Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday emerged as the most critical days, accounting to 45% of total road fatalities in the district, in the day-wise survey of accident spots. On these days, the number of road fatalities were 20-30% higher than all other days.
The report also states that maximum road accident fatalities occurred between 6 pm and 9 pm — with the three-hour period accounting for 24% of total fatalities in the last three years.
Turning attention to suggestions to help bring down fatalities, the report said more traffic enforcement officials may be deployed to ensure commuter safety on the critical days.
The report also states that 61% of the accidents were caused by trucks and light motor vehicles (LMV), while two-wheeler riders and pedestrians make up 81% of the victims.
The deputy commissioner directed NHAI, GMADA, public works and the civic body officials to seek experts’ advice to help make the accident-prone spots safer. Discussions were also held on whether rotatories being proposed by the road safety advisor should have traffic lights or not.
New light points
Installation of lights at places like Gopal Sweets chowk, Kharar bus stand, Sahora Cut, Jagatpura and other identified spots was also ordered. The deputy commissioner directed officials to pay special attention to control vehicle speed, ensure repair of footpaths and install speed limit boards.
GMADA under fire
GMADA, meanwhile, came under fire for sending a junior officer, who has decision-making authority, at the road safety meeting. Deputy commissioner Jain took serious note of the matter and issued a notice to GMADA, directing them to appoint a nodal officer for the meetings and not take road safety as a formality.
The matter came to light when road safety experts said that the direct access of newly built townships at National Highway was also contributing to the rise in accidents. When asked by GMADA officials to respond, the official concerned, who attended the meeting, said he was not aware of the district’s traffic issues and was sent as no senior official was available.
Jain asked them to ensure the construction of service lanes along with colonies developed near national highways. She also issued instructions to install lights in the places where traffic lights are needed in the district.
