Barricades meant for safety add to dangers on Trichy NH stretches

Trichy: Barricades erected by the Trichy city police along two major national highways passing through the city have turned into a public hazard, with commuters alleging that accident risks have increased. With three fatal accidents and several non-fatal crashes reported in recent months on the Trichy–Pudukottai and Trichy–Madurai highway stretches, road users say the barricades have failed to serve their intended purpose of improving road safety.The Trichy-Pudukottai NH between TVS tollgate and Trichy International Airport has 23 median openings within the 3km stretch, of which three openings are temporarily closed. After two fatal accidents on the stretch in Jan and Feb, police installed around 50 barricades near the median openings to restrict vehicles from crossing the highway. But, residents claimed that the barricades failed to reduce the speed of vehicles, especially those proceeding to the airport. "Vehicles stumble upon barricades only at the last minute. Trailing vehicles often ram vehicles that make a sudden halt near the barricade. Blinkers and penalisation for over-speeding can make the road safe," R Thiruvenkadam, a road safety activist, said. Many barricades are dilapidated, and in the dark, commuters cannot see them. Activists suggested police permanently close some median openings that pose accident risks due to U-turns. Similar problems also persist on the Trichy-Madurai NH near the KK Nagar entry point. Barricades placed by police to reduce the speed of city buses heading to Panjapur KKBT are not helping residents to cross the highway safely. Accident threats persist even after a two-wheeler rider was killed when a speeding bus hit him in Dec. Two police checkposts at the KK Nagar junction are not manned either. "We will examine the spot and initiate corrective measures," a city police officer said. NHAI sources said they were asked by the city police to install speed breakers instead of barricades near Mannarpuram and KK Nagar junction. However, speed breakers are unlikely, as the airport road is a VVIP movement-prone area. Fatal accidents:1. Dec 8: A 56-year-old man riding a 2-wheeler was killed by a private bus near KK Nagar2. Jan 18: A 44-year-old woman riding pillion on a bike was killed by a car near the airport3. Feb 13: A retired police SI was killed after his bike hit a stray cow near KottapattuBarricades of troubles: From: TVS tollgate To: Trichy airport Length: 3km Median openings: 23 Temporarily closed: 3 Barricades: 50+