Puri: Around 2,502 road accidents have been reported from across Puri district from January 2014 to June 2019, sources said.
At least 100 people have lost their lives due to road mishaps in the district from 2014 to 2019, sources added.
As per the available data, a total of 460 road accidents have been reported from various police stations in the district in 2014. The figure was 495 in 2015, 439 in 2016, 457 in 2017 and 448 in 2018. According to sources, the district has witnessed at least 200 road mishaps from January 1 to June 30, this year.
Sources in district administration claimed that most of the road accidents have been reported from Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway, Puri-Satapada National Highway and Puri-Konark marine drive. According to the data, Puri-Konark marine drive has become accident-prone in recent years. At least 30 mishaps occurred near Liakhia bridge on the road in last few months. Around 10 persons have perished in the accidents, sources said.
“Several bikers have died in accidents near Liakhia bridge on Puri-Konark marine drive. The bikers met with mishap while overtaking other vehicles on the road,” said a source in Puri district police. On the other hand, several accidents have been reported from Khadipada, Girala, Kapileshwarpur and Goruala Squares on Puri-Satapada National Highway.
It is learnt that most of the accidents on Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway occurred near Biraharekrushnapur Square, Tulasi Chaura Square and Satasankha. Similarly, Mangalaghat, Chandanpur and Pipli bypasses have become accident prone in recent months, sources said.
Puri traffic inspector Gokulacharan Pati blamed reckless driving and flouting of traffic and road safety rules for accidents on various roads in the district.
“Bikers were not using helmets. Some people used to talk over phone while driving. Besides, motorists often try to overtake others in violation of the traffic rules. We have been creating awareness among people to obey traffic and road safety rules,” Pati said.
Puri superintendent of police Umashanker Dash said they are taking the help of voluntary organisations to spread awareness on traffic and road safety rules among the people.
“We can prevent road accidents if there is a change in the mindset among people to obey traffic rules,” Dash added.