Gurgaon traffic police identify five accident-prone areas

The Gurgaon traffic police have identified five accident-prone areas in the city and have analysed the factors causing fatal accidents.

The Gurgaon traffic police have identified five accident-prone areas in the city and have analysed the factors causing fatal accidents.

Traffic-jam-near-Signature-tower-in-Gurgaon-during-road-safety-week-HT-Photo-Manoj-Kumar

According to the survey conducted last week, maximum number of accidents has taken place at the junction outside the Huda City Centre Metro station, Signature Tower, Rajiv Chowk, Gurgaon-Faridabad road and Bilaspur.

“Faulty road engineering and speeding were the major causes behind the high accident rate at these areas,” said Bharti Arora, joint commissioner (traffic), Gurgaon.

The survey was conducted by a team comprising officials of the Gurgaon traffic police, road safety officers and members of non-profit organisation Embarq India. They analysed the behaviour of two-wheelers and pedestrians. The final report was submitted to the Gurgaon traffic police.

Traffic police records stated that 400 accidents took place between January 1, 2011 and June 15, 2011. During the same period this year, the number reached 500 i.e. a 20% jump.

Experts have attributed this trend to poor urban planning and the city’s infrastructure unable to cope with the rapid expansion of Gurgaon. The roads in Gurgaon are a classic example of how lack of road engineering and foresight by authorities has led to chaos.

The traffic police have observed that most deaths reported in Gurgaon are because of road accidents.

Over 400 people have been killed every year on Gurgaon roads in the last four years. This year, 176 deaths have been reported so far.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of non fatal accidents too - 651 in 2013, 776 in 2014 and 300 till June 2015. Lack of footpaths, cycle tracks and foot over bridges has also led to a 20% hike in accidents involving pedestrians.

“Cities should be planned for all, including and marginalised communities. Low income housing, mixed-use development, high-quality affordable mass transit and regulation around rented housing and gated communities so that plots are porous and accessible, are some key issues that need to be addressed immediately,” said Sarika Panda Bhatt, project manager, WRI Embarq -India.

Cities need to develop mechanisms that encourage safe and vibrant public spaces and facilitate the interaction and integration between various sections of society. Raahgiri Day allows this as it provides a platform for people from all classes of the society to enjoy public spaces.