Vellikulam a death curve for travellers

KOTTAYAM: The accident which killed four persons at Vellikulam on Tuesday is said to be the fourth one occurring at the same spot. Though the police are not able to confirm the previous mishaps, a local resident Mathew Sebastian said the earlier accidents had claimed seven lives at this spot.Around 35 years ago, a jeep rolled down the bend killing three persons while two persons lost their lives when a timber-laden lorry fell into the gorge. Around five years ago, a KSRTC employee and his wife died when the autorickshaw in which they were travelling tumbled down the hill.All these mishaps have failed to wake up the PWD or the authorities.Tuesday’s mishap has once again brought to light the negligence on the part of the government in ensuring the safety of the travellers on the stretch.According to Erattupetta Circle Inspector D Mohandas, a report about the safety of the sidewall at the sharp bend has been submitted to the officials concerned. According to him, 20 mishaps had occurred at the spot in the last two years. Mathew said the sidewalls are brittle and could not withstand a hit by a vehicle. Also there is no lighting or warning board near the bend.There is enough scope for widening the road at the bend, but the government has not risen to the occasion, he said.Theekoyi panchayat president Marykutty Mathew expressed concern over the accident and hailed the people for rising to the occasion to save precious lives.