Spike in Visakhapatnam Road Fatalities
Visakhapatnam has seen a sharp rise in road accidents, claiming nearly 70 lives in the past two months. Residents and safety experts say traffic police focus more on issuing e-challans than preventing accidents.
“Police should monitor key junctions and manage traffic flow to save lives,” said a resident who travels daily along BRTS Road. “Instead, they wait for helmet violations and take photos.”
The city records about 1,100 accidents every year, resulting in roughly 350 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries. Most incidents occur on national highways, especially the six-lane stretch connecting Anakapalli and Anandapuram. Heavy vehicles still pass through the city to avoid toll gates, often during peak hours. This increases the risk of collisions.
Last year, 1,086 accidents occurred in the city. Of these, 420 were on national highways. BRTS Road saw 117 accidents, Port Road 34, and other major roads 410.
Recent incidents underline the danger. A two-wheeler rider lost control at Law College Junction while traveling from Madhurawada to Endada. He hit a divider and died instantly. Two days earlier, an auto rickshaw overturned at Siripuram Junction, killing the driver and seriously injuring two passengers. On February 27, a pedestrian crossing Railway Station Road was struck by a two-wheeler and died on the spot.
Traffic experts say police negligence worsens the situation. Officers often stay away from busy junctions and focus on minor violations or pending e-challans. They ignore high-risk areas, which increases accidents,” said a traffic analyst on condition of anonymity.
Residents expressed frustration over the lack of proactive monitoring. “Speeding vehicles, heavy trucks, and crowded streets create constant hazards. Without proper enforcement, accidents will keep rising,” said a resident of Anandapuram.
Calls for action are growing. Citizens demand stricter traffic management, better monitoring of accident-prone zones, and awareness campaigns to improve road safety.