India’s Beautiful Resorts through Killer Roads
The death of 31 women, who had just celebrated marriage of their relative on December 14, 2010 in road-accident on busy high-way, is yet not another example of India’s crumbling infrastructure. The major cause for concern is it happened on the road that leads to popular tourist destination Ootty - also known as the blue mountain - through thick forest reserves of Bandipur and Madumalai in South India. Moreover, it is not an isolated incident as deaths on this route is common feature. Part of the problem could be attributed to drunken and careless drivers but the authorities cannot escape the criticism as most of the roads in the hinter-land are single-lane, narrow, full of potholes and curves with no barricades.
Soon after the ghastly incident hundreds of villagers came out and protested by blocking the “killer road” to attract the attention of those who matter. Politicians have promised to initiate steps to construct culverts alongside the lakes to ensure that cars and buses do not plunge into water as it happened on Tuesday when the driver, allegedly drunk, lost control of his mini-bus. “The truth is it could happen to any driver”, says a villager pointing out at the close distance between the road and the lake.
It is nightmare to even drive about 30 km on this road from Mysore - another popular tourist place in South India - towards Ooty. I counted five big water-bodies on this small but picturesque stretch. A little error, and the curves on damaged roads lead straight into these ponds besides possibility of head-on collision with the vehicle coming from the opposite side.
According to one estimate, at least 400 accidents take place, 50 people die and hundreds are injured every year on this small stretch alone. India’s infrastructure development is dogged with litigations from land losers, environment groups and slow decision making process. With the government now promising culverts and four-lane project since the locals are killed, one wonders how many more lives would be lost till such promises are turned into reality. It does not matter for the newlywed couple as their lives are already shattered.
Photo caption
Lake alongside busy high-way, recipe for disaster?
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