Bengaluru, Feb 16 (NationPress) Three separate tragic incidents resulting in fatalities, attributed to substandard road conditions, sparked protests on Monday, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding infrastructure safety in various regions of Karnataka.

In the initial incident, a two-year-old child named Trishool lost his life following a collision on the Ittamadu Gram Panchayat Road in the Halehalli area of Mahadevapura. Local sources reported that the child was en route to a temple with family members for Maha Shivaratri when the unfortunate accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. While returning home, a car allegedly collided with the motorcycle carrying the child, resulting in him falling onto the road where he was subsequently run over by the car. The child tragically died at the scene.

Following this incident, family members and local residents held a protest on Monday, voicing their demands for justice for Trishool.

Protesters argued that the hazardous and poorly designed road conditions contributed to the accident. They pointed out that one side of the road is elevated, while the other slopes downwards, posing a danger to drivers. According to locals, the motorcycle rider lost control when navigating the uneven surface, leading to the child's fall.

Residents reported that this was the fifth fatality on that road and noted that hundreds of accidents have occurred over the years. They stated that they had endured the road's poor conditions for nearly 15 years. Although jelly stones were placed six months ago, they claimed that road construction remains incomplete and lacks proper execution. Schoolchildren and daily commuters are particularly affected, they added.

The Gram Panchayat officials stated that the road is under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD). They mentioned that a proposal for a new road has been submitted and that construction work has started. They also noted that the incident was reported to the PWD and that the police have communicated with the department. Describing themselves as junior officers, they asserted that they had done all they could within their authority.

In another incident within the Audugodi police station jurisdiction in Bengaluru, 49-year-old Amala died due to injuries sustained from a pothole-related accident. This incident occurred around 11 a.m. near Audugodi Junction as she was returning from church on a scooter with her son. A tipper lorry allegedly collided with the scooter, running over her. She suffered severe injuries to both legs and became trapped under the vehicle before being rescued by passersby. Although she was hospitalized, she later succumbed to her injuries. Her son, fortunately, escaped with minor injuries. Police indicated that reckless driving by the tipper driver was the main cause of the tragedy.

In a separate case from Shivamogga, 35-year-old Mohammad Sohail died after an accident linked to a poorly designed speed bump. The incident occurred on February 12 on Savalanga Road near LBS Road. Sohail, who worked at a mobile shop, was reportedly on his way home when the accident happened. He was hospitalized but later passed away from his injuries on Monday.

Family members alleged that the inadequately designed speed bump contributed to the accident, although police sources indicated that excessive speed was also a factor. Many accidents have reportedly taken place on this stretch in the past.

These three incidents have amplified calls from residents and families for immediate repairs to the roads and a reevaluation of the speed breaker designs.