Deep curves, lack of lighting increase risk of accidents

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A day after the MTC bus plunged from the Gemini flyover, this newspaper checked out the safety parameters of other existing flyovers and grade separators in Chennai.

Motorists say that the deep curves at the flyovers in Alwarpet and Turn Bulls Cenotaph road need more delineators and reflectors which will benefit drivers at night.

Similarly, the two arterial grade separators at Padi and Koyambedu do not have adequate lighting and can be dangerous.

Meanwhile, the state highways department commenced repairing of the Gemini flyover parapet wall on Thursday morning.

When contacted, a senior state highways official said that the repair works would be completed in a day or two. The damaged parapet wall will be repaired at an estimate of Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh, he added.

When asked about the safety of the arm that witnessed the accident, the official said that the three-decade old bridge was safe and strong and there was no need to worry. Accidents on most bridges occur due to rash and negligent driving, he added.

Regarding lack of adequate lightings at grade separators, the official said that the maintenance of the grade separators in Kathipara, Koyambedu and Padi were under review and soon more lights would be installed at required places.

According to a senior corporation official, the city traffic police had informed the civic body about the steep curves at Alwarpet and Cenotoph Road flyovers two years back and subsequently traffic stumps, delineators and reflectors were placed to warn motorists.

He added that if required more such reflectors would be installed at these flyovers.

MTC to crack whip on errant staff

A day after the bus mishap on the Anna flyover, senior MTC officials on Thursday took a seriously view on the “cellphone issue” and discussed taking stringent measures against erring staff.

A circular will soon be issued restricting conductors and drivers from carrying mobile phones during duty hours. Offenders will face stringent action that might include termination.

However, the final decision is likely to be taken only after the return of the transport minister, who is currently in Hungary, but only after getting the chief minister’s nod.

The MTC managing director also met the state transport commissioner on Thursday evening.

According to sources, several important decisions were taken in the hour-long meeting including taking stringent actions against drivers for using cellphones while driving.

Though a ban on using mobiles by drivers on TNSTC buses has been in place since 2010, several drivers do not follow it as there are no checks.

Considering this, the corporation will issue a new circular to MTC staff restricting usage of cellphones while on duty, sources told this newspaper after the meeting. They added that officials of other corporations were also likely to follow suit.

During the meeting held at MTC headquarters, managers of all depots discussed technical aspects, besides the issue of discipline among drivers.

It was decided to implement stringent measures that will have to be followed to reduce accidents in future, particularly pertaining to usage of cellphones during duty hours.

“The offenders can even lose their jobs if proven guilty. Though the authorities have declared that the accident was due to careless driving and over-speeding, cellphone usage cannot be brushed aside,” sources added.

As per the instructions, drivers have to handover their mobiles to conductor before starting the bus.