SAND ON ARA’S ROAD TURNS DEADLY

SAND ON ARA’S ROAD TURNS DEADLY

13-JUNE-ENG 19

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------DT Road, considered a major and upscale thoroughfare in Ara city, Bhojpur district, has recently become a source of trouble and danger for the public. Accidents are occurring frequently due to large quantities of sand scattered across the road over the past month. Conditions are such that motorcyclists, cyclists, rickshaw pullers, and even pedestrians feel unsafe.

Locals state that despite repeated complaints, neither the municipal corporation administration nor the concerned departments have taken any concrete action so far.

According to local residents, two-wheelers are the most frequent victims of accidents caused by sand scattered on the road. Speeding motorcycles suddenly skid, causing injuries to both riders and pillion passengers.

School-going children also lose their balance and fall while cycling. Rickshaws and e-rickshaws frequently lose control and teeter on the verge of overturning due to the sand, raising concerns about passenger safety.

People point out that this issue is not limited to DT Road alone; similar accumulations of sand and dust can be seen on many other city roads. The scattered sand has not only increased the risk of accidents but also disrupted the flow of traffic. The problem becomes particularly acute during the morning and evening hours when traffic volume is high.

Local residents allege that the municipal corporation administration has been informed about this matter multiple times, yet no effective action has been taken. They believe that timely road cleaning and sand removal could significantly curb accidents. Despite this, the responsible departments do not appear serious about resolving the issue.

Resentment is growing among area residents regarding the administration's way of functioning. They find the officials' silence baffling, given the daily occurrence of accidents, ranging from minor to severe. People are questioning why the administration seems to be waiting for a major tragedy to occur. They warn that if necessary steps are not taken in time, a serious accident could happen in the future, for which the concerned departments and the administration would be held responsible. Local residents have demanded that the district administration and the municipal corporation immediately launch a cleanup drive on DT Road and other affected city roads, remove the sand scattered on the streets, and establish a permanent system to prevent such a situation from recurring. People state that the administration needs to show sensitivity regarding road safety to ensure citizens' right to safe transportation.