Official Neglect Of Blackspots On NH-40 Continue To Claim Lives

KURNOOL: District officials of Nandyal have identified 25 blackspots on National Highway 40, which are prone to accidents, leading to loss of lives in certain cases. Criticism is growing that despite knowing this fact, they are not taking enough measures to prevent the accidents.

Though authorities have taken measures, they have not attended to a large number of blackspots, which are continuing to pose a threat to the highway users.

For example, the entry and exit points of Allagadda town, Shantiram College junction and intersections at Nandyal, Maddur and Chabolu are known as dangerous spots. In particular, frequent accidents are reported on the Chinna Kandukuru road and the Maddurumetta stretch near Chagalamarri village.

In Dhone mandal, accidents continue to claim lives on the Ungaralagundla road, as preventive measures have not been taken up.

According to eyewitnesses, there is no proper lighting on the stretch between Nunepalle Junction and Ayyalurumetta in Nandyal town limits, which worsens the situation during the night hours. “Even basic things like working lights and barricades are missing. That shows how commuter safety is being neglected,” remarked K. Narasimha of Nunepalle.

Another major concern is RTC buses unpredictably making halts on the national highway, often leading to fast-moving vehicles rear-ending into these buses. Significantly, a major number of fatal accidents are when speeding vehicles hit lorries, buses or cars improperly parked on the highway.

Whatever may be the efforts made by the district authorities, numbers tell a grim story. In the past three years, Nandyal district has witnessed approximately 900 road accidents, resulting in nearly 600 deaths.

Although officials claim that the fatality rate has declined—from 286 deaths in 2022 to 180 in 2023 and 113 so far in 2025—they acknowledge that much more needs to be done.

“Just identifying blackspots is not enough. Preventive action is what makes those identifications useful,” said a senior transport officer. He emphasised the need for a collective approach to further reduce the accidents.

Local activist R. Maddileti criticised the National Highways’ authorities stating, “They collect ₹12–₹15 lakh per day in tolls, but fail to ensure even basic safety. They must be held accountable for every preventable death.”