KOCHI: Accidents increased as the road improved. The locals of Parappuram, who realized the reason, came forward to defend themselves. Locals have put up a board saying, "If you drive too fast and cause an accident, you will be thrashed, there will be no mercy." The warning board for travellers is on the Aluva Desam-Vallam Kadavu road in Ernakulam district.

Although Vatteri Xavier (59), who was hit by a two-wheeler, was taken to the hospital, his life could not be saved. This is what sparked the anger of the locals. The 14.1-km road, which had been in disrepair for a long time, was renovated to the B.M.B.C. standards at a cost of Rs. 17.5 crore after the locals continuously complained. Two-wheelers started speeding once the road was fixed. The locals had requested the Public Works Department to put up warning boards and take possible precautions to control speeding. The board was put up when it was of no use.

A board was put up on the roadside early on, as per the instructions of Minister Muhammad Riyaz, stating, "People are not spectators, they are watchmen." Many were not ready to accept it.

Youth Movement buys ambulance

It has become the responsibility of the locals to take those who get into accidents to the hospital. There is no ambulance within a radius of five kilometers. To solve this problem, the youth, under the leadership of the SNDP Yogam Youth Movement Unit Committee, collected Rs. 9 lakh and bought an ambulance. The first trip was held on the last Thiruvonam day. There was an accident on Monday as well, when a lorry collided with a car. Those involved in it were lucky to escape.

'Vehicles are speeding. There is no other option but to install such a board for the safety of the locals''

'Gracy Dayanandan, Kanjoor Ward Member.

'Three lives have been lost on this road within a year, and many people have been injured. This situation cannot continue any longer.

''K.G. Nishad, Youth Movement President