Kazhakootam-Karode stretch turns accident hotspot

Repeated accidents have raised alarm over road safety on the Kazhakoottam-Karode section of National Highway 66 (NH 66). High speeds and the absence of traffic control systems at major intersections contribute to these mishaps. Recently, 19-year-old motorcyclist Muhammed Ajas lost his life after colliding with a parked KSRTC bus near Vazhamuttam.

Two days prior, 40-year-old M.J. Ratheesh Kumar met his end when a car lost control and collided with his motorcycle. On August 16, 51-year-old hotel employee R.V. Pradeep Chandran was killed by a speeding car near Vazhamuttam. Earlier, on August 9, two elderly sisters, Shanthamma and Vijayamma, died after being struck by a speeding motorcycle while crossing the highway near Karimbuvila Junction.

In July, IT professionals Naveen Sibi and Mridula Ann Oommen lost their lives after their motorbike hit a divider near Tiruvallam following a collision with a speeding car. Ragam Rahim, who sought a Human Rights Commission investigation into the rise in traffic accidents on the Kazhakootam-Karode NH 66 stretch, attributed the issue to overspeeding, especially on freshly completed sections, and a lack of traffic control measures at numerous junctions.

Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas instructed the City Police Commissioner to investigate and submit a report within a month. Additional factors exacerbating the accidents include poor lighting, unscientific service roads, and aggressive driving. S. Shaheem, Senior Principal Scientist at the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre, noted that while road safety measures are absent, the ongoing four-laning project prevents full implementation of such measures. He emphasized the necessity of a thorough analysis to address the recurring accidents.