Ringed manholes on Ahmedabad roads; new threat to commuters

Don't take your eyes off the road while driving a car or two-wheeler because speed-breakers at unexpected places, and manholes-covers raised above road level, could land you in hospital.

The risk of accident doubles at night on those roads where, because of poor street lighting, it is easy to miss these unwanted obstructions.

In fact, they have already caused many accidents in which commuters have sustained serious injuries.

The opposition in the Ahmedabad municipal corporation (AMC) has frequently drawn the attention of the road and building committee of the civic body to the threat posed by the protruding manhole covers and the speed-breakers without proper marking. And every time the AMC officials promised to solve the problem but did not keep their promise.

In addition to these threats, in several other places, the manholes have not been levelled properly. This has created potholes on the roads.

It is the responsibility of the contractor who built the road to ensure a smooth surface. But due to irresponsibility on the part of private contractors and AMC officials, these bumps continue to pose a threat to commuters.

Siddharth Mehta, a resident of Naranpura, said that the manhole near Iscon Circle which has a concrete ring round its cover is a real threat to commuters. "As a flyover is under construction there, there is very little space for traffic on this busy thoroughfare. The manhole with the ringed cover adds to the woes of commuters," he said.

He said such manholes can be found in many other areas. The civic body must act immediately and level the road surface at these places, Mehta said.

Though speed-breakers and bumps are meant to slow down speeding vehicles for the safety of pedestrians, they can also lead to fatal accidents, such as the one that took place near IIMA on Sunday. Bumps without stripes painted on them can cause problems as they are not visible from a distance.

However, according to sources in the AMC, it is the traffic police who decide where the bumps and speed-breakers are to be located.

IK Patel, AMC's deputy municipal commissioner of road projects, said that the civic body was abreast with the problem and was looking for a solution. "We will be discussing the issue and instruct additional city engineers of the respective zones to solve the problem as early as possible," he said.