Necklace Road: Boulevard of death?
The long smooth stretch that is the Necklace road adjoining Hussain Sagar Lake is an adrenaline ride for young bikers, who seem indifferent to the dangers and risks involved
Since the past few years, Necklace Road has been witness to a number of road accidents and fatalities thanks to rash and negligent driving. The long, empty stretches of Necklace Road, surrounding the Hussain Sagar lake, offered the perfect venue for youngsters to burn rubber on tarmac. Thankfully, due to the recent initiatives taken up by the Lake Police department, the road leading from the Indira Gandhi circle on Necklace road to Sanjeeviah park is now closed at night, thereby restricting and prohibiting vehicles, especially motorbikes from plying.
Inspector of the Lake Police department, Srinivas Rao said, “A lot of youngsters, who are often too young to drive, tend to sneak out with their vehicles at night. The Necklace Road was host to many of their “drag races” where youngsters would race each other at breakneck speeds and perform all sorts of unsafe stunts on the roads. Almost every week, we had two to three accidents or casualties. However, we have now resorted to shutting off the road for vehicular traffic at night so the number has gone to down to zero.”
According to police statistics, 2011 saw 26 accidents including six deaths. In 2010, there were 72 non fatal accidents and 15 deaths on Necklace Road. Despite the presence of signboards that restrict speeds above 40 kmph, youngsters are seen zooming away at more than 100 kmph speeds.
Soundarya G, a resident of Somajiguda who was witness to an accident says, “By driving rashly, they put not only their lives but pedestrians at danger too. Last year, I was witness to a youngster’s death. He went too fast and could not negotiate the curve on Necklace Road station and died because of injuries to his head.”
Furthermore, the roads at the Jalavihar and Ohris Restaurant stretch are always filled with sand. Improper lighting and the presence of huge boulders on the roads make for a perfect death trap. Despite all of this, youngsters, in the prime of their youth, have no qualms about playing with death at night.
Aditya Chander, a regular at drag races says, “Despite the dangers involved, it still feels great to be driving at 120 kmph. If so many youngsters are inclined towards bike racing, why can’t we be given a place to prove our mettle? It is a much encouraged sport in the West and enjoys a lot of patronage.”
Thanks to the measures taken by the Lake Police and the Traffic Police, the vehicular movement on Necklace Road is now sparse and peaceful during the nights. However, the longevity of the measures taken remains to be tested.
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