Motorists have urged the state highways department to restructure and widen a culvert on the Military Road near Sakthi Kailash College in Salem, as the spot has witnessed several accidents involving two-wheeler riders who sustained injuries after falling into a drainage on which the culvert is located.
Recent accidents highlight danger
The road was recently tarred, and a white edge line was painted. Some two-wheeler riders heading towards Attur mistake the tarred portion outside the edge line as a dedicated two-wheeler lane. They are caught off guard by the abrupt end at the culvert and fall into the drainage.
On Tuesday evening, V Ramesh, 28, from Vazhapadi, fell into the drainage with his mother V Devaki, 52, while riding his motorcycle outside the edge line. Ramesh suffered a leg fracture and was admitted to Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital.
In another incident, a 32-year-old Attur resident sustained head injuries when his two-wheeler fell into the drainage recently. A college student from Ammapet escaped with minor injuries after his two-wheeler skidded dangerously close to the culvert.
Misleading markings blamed
Residents have criticized the white line, calling it misleading. T Ramesh, a local resident, said, “The white line meant to guide bikers is misleading. Steps should be taken to widen the culvert.”
Motorists are calling for immediate action to prevent further accidents and injuries on this stretch of Military Road.
