Rampalli Accident: Residents Allege Road Negligence in Keesara

Hyderabad: A day after a two-wheeler rider lost his life when he slipped on loose gravel and was run over by a lorry in Rampalli in Keesara, residents have come forward alleging repeated negligence and apathy by road authorities since work on the stretch began late last year.

According to locals, Monday’s accident was the eighth on the same stretch, and yet all that has been done by the authorities is just the laying of two traffic cones on the spot.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Naveen Kumar and Anil Bung, who own shops near the spot, said that the road-widening work began in November 2024 after the Cherlapally railway station was developed. “It has been almost eight months now, but the work is still incomplete. One side of the road is smooth, but the other is just gravel and mud. That’s exactly where people keep falling,” said Naveen.

According to the two, at least eight accidents have occurred since the gravel was laid. “Five cases were officially registered, while three were settled with the help of local police,” Anil alleged.

Naveen recalled his own incident a few weeks ago. “I slipped and fractured my hand. I had to wear a plaster for over a month and couldn’t even drive. The construction work has been handed over to Raghava Constructions. Every time we raise the issue, officials either ignore us or throw vague promises our way,” he said.

They claim that despite multiple accidents, no barricades or warning signs have been placed by the contractor or municipal authorities. “This is not just a delay. It’s pure corruption,” said Anil.

Regarding the man who died on Tuesday, locals said the contractor had promised his family compensation of Rs 5 lakh. “But as of now, it’s only on paper. Not a rupee has been paid,” Anil said.

With the project unlikely to finish before January 2026, residents fear more lives will be lost if the road is not fixed immediately. “There was one fatal accident in the first month of the construction work itself. And nobody even turned up at the spot. If they protest, they sign cheques. But those too, only on paper,” Naveen added.

Rampalli locals are now demanding that the road be completed on a priority and that an audit be conducted into the repeated delays and safety lapses.