Visakhapatnam: There are as many as 1985 discrepancies in various templates on the National Highway-16, passing through the three North Andhra Pradesh districts from Itchapuram to Adda Road Junction stretch of 315km. Road intersection and curve designs on the NH stretch have major flaws.
Of the 1985 faults, 361 are related to road intersections, 333 road curves, 260 bridge or culverts and 212 gaps in the median. Road mergers, truck /bus bylanes, and industry/institution are also among the major discrepancies.
These discrepancies are found out in a safety audit survey conducted by Andhra Pradesh tra-nsport department and NHAI in association with GITAM University, MVGR College of Engi-neering, Gayatri Educa-tional Institutions (Srik-akulam), AITAM, Tekkali and Avanti Institute of Engineering and Technology, Ma-kavarapupalem.
The survey highlighted the unavailability of proper signals, cat eyes, delineators and suggested immediate action to reduce the accident risk. The major aim was to identify and recommend facilities that can be used to extend medical support to accident victims as quickly as possible and, finally to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on the stretch.
Pusapati Rega Junc-tion is a highly accident-prone zone on the NH with 30 mishaps recorded in the last three years, and 14 of them were fatal. The survey noticed that junction is in a reverse curve and improper design of service road leads to traffic in opposite direction. Also, bus bay before junction is obstructing sight clearance and there are many encroachments on both sides of the road.
On the other hand, curve design at Rajapulova, inadequate gap in the median on Kamavaram-stretch also result in accidents frequently. Lack of median gaps Kamavaram is encouraging driving in the wrong carriageway resulting in major accidents. Sava-ravilli junction witnessed 18 accidents and the survey suggested clearing of encroachments and shifting of the electricity sub-station.
