NL commuters beware: KA Police introduces ‘time card’ for curbing overspeeding on NH 129

January 6, 2024 9 Views No Comment

• Sarihajan-Garampani a speed controlled zone
• Travel the stretch in not less than 40 minutes
• Initiated in the interest of road safety

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 6

Commuters from Nagaland beware. The Karbi Anglong police have introduced a speed curbing system on the accident prone Bokajan-Sarihajan-Borpathar-Silonijan-Garampani stretch of NH 129.

A replication of a manual system introduced on the Kaziranga stretch of NH 27, it involves a ‘time card’ on which the issuing authority (police) will mark the time at the start point of a ‘speed controlled zone’ or stretch of road.

The system, initiated by the Karbi Anglong District Road Safety Committee for ensuring road safety, was launched by the Superintendent of Police, Karbi Anglong, Sanjiv Kumar Saikia at Sarihajan on January 5.

Saikia explained, “We will issue a ‘time card’ at Sarihajan to any vehicle (including two-wheelers) headed towards Silonijan and beyond via NH 129 (earlier 39).”

The amount of time specified to travel from Sarihajan to Garampani is not less than 40 minutes. The said card will be issued by police personnel at a check point at the Sarihajan Tiniali. At the time of issue, the police will note the ‘Time of entry’ into the speed controlled zone. At the point where the speed controlled zone ends at Silonijan, another team of police personnel will note the ‘Time of exit.’

While stating that it will be on a trial basis, he said that it will take effect from 5:00-9:00 in the morning and from 3:00-9:00 in the evening, starting January 5. As noted from accident data analysis, he said that most of the accidents have occurred in the said two time periods. Depending on the demands of the situation, he added that the extent of the speed controlled zone would be increased.

Saikia said, “You (commuters) are supposed to reach Garampani in not less than 40 minutes and if it’s till Silonijan, the time taken should be not less than 34 minutes.”

The prevailing speed limit in this stretch was said to be 60 kmph but he added, “We have observed vehicles crossing this stretch at 120 kmph.”

Any commuter failing to keep the prescribed time or speed limit will face prosecution as stipulated by section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

In the event, commuters stop midway to kill time after travelling at well past the prescribed speed limit, he said that police personnel will be deployed in between.

He cited data, compiled by the police, which pointed to high road fatalities occurring in Karbi Anglong.

In 2023, Karbi Anglong recorded road 79 fatalities. Saikia said that the Bokajan-Borpathar stretch in particular recorded 33 mishaps with the majority of the accidents linked to over speeding.

He did not cite figures but said that most of the accidents on the said stretch involved vehicles from Nagaland. He recalled, in particular, the December 18 collision between a Maruti Gypsy (Nagaland) and a Mahindar Thar (Assam) that claimed 4 lives. In another accident, recently, he said that three persons died in a motorcycle accident.

“We appeal the commuters to cooperate for safety of all commuters and pedestrians alike,” he said.