Motorists seek adequate safety measures on new ROB in Ranipet town to prevent accidents

Motorists have demanded adequate safety measures on the recently opened ₹ 26.65 crore Road Over Bridge (ROB), which was built across the rail line at Navalpur village in Ranipet town, to prevent accidents.

It comes in the wake of three youngsters being killed on the carriageway of the bridge on November 20 after the two-wheeler they were travelling in was hit by a SUV, which jumped on the wrong lane of the carriageway.

The stretch does not have a median to enforce lane discipline due to the narrow width of the two-lane bridge. “Lack of a median on the new bridge encourages rash driving and jumping into the wrong lane, risking other motorists. Blinkers and reflectors should be installed to caution riders against traffic violations,” said V. Parasuram, a motorist. 

Minister for Textiles and Handlooms, R. Gandhi, who is also Ranipet MLA, opened the new bridge by taking a stroll on the new facility along with residents, social activists, elected representatives and officials of State Highways in August.

Originally given its nod in 2019, the new bridge is jointly done by the Southern Railway and the National Highways (NH) wing of State Highways. The two-lane bridge, which was funded by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, is 921 metres long and 12 metres wide with at least 50 LED street lights on the bridge and its service lanes. Tiled footpaths with steel hand railings also provided. Staircases from the bridge to reach the railway station at Navalpur are available.

Motorists said that the new bridge is a lifeline because it provides easy and safe access to schools, colleges, bus stands, government office,s and banks that are located on one side of the rail line whereas residential colonies were located on opposite sides of the track.

However, rash driving on the bridge has become common since its opening three months ago. Barricades should be placed at both ends of the bridge to prevent rash driving.

More importantly, State Highways and traffic police should install reflective orange plastic poles as a replacement for concrete median to ensure lane discipline. CCTV cameras should be installed to act as a deterrent against traffic violations.

Highways officials said that a detailed study is being undertaken to provide safety measures on the bridge and approach stretches to the new facility. Such measures got necessitated after the fatal accident that occured on the bridge. “Once we got a nod from Collector J.U. Chandrakala, who reviews accident-prone spots in the district regularly, additional safety measures will be provided on the new bridge,” said a Highways official.