Thiruvananthapuram: Two pedestrians were killed in a road accident on the NH bypass near Infosys campus at Kazhakkoottam on Monday night. The incident further strengthened the demand of local people for a pedestrian crossing facility at the area.
Manzoor, 30, and Mohammed Ali, 27, both natives of Kozhikode, were killed after a new generation motor cycle knocked them down. The motorcycle was said to be coming in high speed from Kazhakkoottam side. The motorcycle rider and pillion rider, identified as Naveen, 19, and Manimuth, 35, both natives of Tamil Nadu, also suffered serious injuries in the mishap.
Manzoor and Mohammed Ali, who were engaged in solar panel installation work at a Technopark firm, died at the medical college hospital. Naveen and Manimuth were under treatment at the intensive care unit at a nearby private hospital.
Powndkadavu ward councillor Mr. Medayai Vikraman said that so far about five persons were killed in accidents along the Kazhakkoottam - Akkulam stretch after the NH bypass was widened. Though the government agreed to our demand for a sub-way in the locality, it was yet to materialise.
"It is a thickly populated area with leading like Infosys and UST Global. Many houses, hotels, government offices and schools are situated on either sides of the stretch. But there is no facility for pedestrian crossing in about two three kilometres," said Mr. Vikraman.
The local police also said that the stretch has become an accident prone area owing to high speed of vehicles and lack of pedestrian crossing facility. Pedestrians, especially kids and aged people, were finding it very difficult to cross the road. Recently two kids were injured in an accident at the same spot.
Mr. Vikraman said that following demand by local people earlier, the government and national highway officials had assured that a sub-way for pedestrian crossing as well as for movement of two-wheelers and light motor vehicles would be provided. But it was still remaining on papers.
