The opposition parties staged a dharna at Netaji bridge near Ranigarithota here on Friday, demanding that the police reconsider its decision to close the junction near Ramalayam.

The residents of Ranigarithota, Tarakarama Nagar, Bhupesh Gupta Nagar Guntur Bapanaiah Nagar and etc contended that the closure was forcing them to take a circuitous route to reach Pasuvala Asupatri Junction on Bandar Road. They also feel that the closure would hinder the free movement of fire tenders and ambulance.

Congress president Malladi Vishnu, CPI(M) city secretary Donepudi Kasinath, CPI city secretary Donepudi Sankar and others took part in the protest and submitted a memorandum to City Police Commissioner A.B. Venkateswarlu.

According to information, the National Highways Authority (NHAI) officials had promised to construct a foot-over-bridge there long ago. But, the residents were firm in their demand that the road should not be blocked. The officials say that the road was blocked for various reasons, including free movement of highway traffic and safety of the people. The residents, however, say that more than 60,000 people are living in the vicinity and they would have to take a long route to reach their destinations.

Accidents

It may be recalled that the City Police closed around 10 approach roads in Krishna Lanka area, in view of spurt in fatal accidents occurring between the Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) and Kanaka Durga Varadhi on National Highway-9.

There are 32 approach roads on the Krishna Lanka stretch connecting the service road and the NH. The stretch from Varadhi towards Skew Bridge has also turned into an accident-prone zone. The police records have registered 78 deaths from 2008 to December 2011 under the Krishna Lanka police station limits under which the PNBS -Varadhi- Skew Bridge stretch falls.

In addition, 112 injuries and 76 fatal injuries cases have been reported from 2008 till date. Many of the deceased are either cyclists or motor cyclists.

The death of pedestrians has also figured in good number. Most of the accidents occurred because of lorries. As many as 22 deaths are due to lorries and an equal number due to unidentified vehicles. Hit-and-run cases are high as their number touched 20. The number of deaths due to RTC buses is eight. Self accidents – hitting road divider, skidding etc.— have resulted in death of six persons.

The police found that vehicle users need to drive at maximum possible speed to motor up the national highway through the sloped approach road from the service road. Unable to control their vehicle as soon as they join the highway, they were hitting the vehicles on the highway.