Trichy: In response to frequent fatal and non-fatal accidents on the Cauvery bridge, the Trichy city police have installed flexible spring poles to streamline bidirectional vehicle movements. These poles, equipped with reflective stickers, aim to improve lane discipline and prevent wrong-side driving.
Mixed Reactions from Residents and Activists
While a section of residents has welcomed the initiative, road safety activists have expressed concerns. Citing past failures, they are advocating for a permanent median as a more durable solution. The four-lane bridge, a vital link between Srirangam-Thiruvanaikoil island and Trichy mainland, has witnessed numerous non-fatal accidents and some fatal ones last year.
Police Justification and Future Plans
Trichy city police attribute the accidents to speeding and wrong-side driving. A traffic police officer stated, "The flexible spring poles will prevent two-wheeler riders from straying into opposite lanes and overtaking other vehicles." However, previous installations of spring poles on medians, such as on Bharathidasan Road, have failed. Road safety activist P Aiyarappan argued, "If buses or trucks ram the spring pole, they will break or get crushed. A proper RCC median will prevent overspeeding and enforce lane discipline."
Long-Term Solution Underway
Trichy city police noted that once the new Cauvery bridge with four lanes is commissioned, the bridges will handle only unidirectional vehicle movement, eliminating the need for road dividers. The State Highways department plans to commission the new bridge within the year.
