Potholes filled, really? Woman dies in mishap

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru, Jan. 30 Bengaluru’s killer potholes continue to take a heavy toll of citizens’ lives. In the latest incident, a pothole claimed the life of a 40-year-old woman after she fell from a scooter with a truck running over her killing her on the spot near Anjana Nagar in Byadarahalli police station limits.

The deceased has been identified as Sharmila, 40, a resident of Kottigepalya in the city. Magadi Main Road stretching from Anjana Nagar to Dodda Gollarahatti was dug up by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to change the sewage pipelines connecting the storm water drain last year. However after the work was completed, neither officials nor workers turned up to close the dug up areas or restore the road. It was therefore not surprising that angry residents blamed negligent civic bodies for Sharmila’s death.

An investigation by the cops revealed that Sharmila was riding pillion on a two-wheeler driven by her husband when the incident happened. The police said her husband lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid a pothole on the road and in the process, the woman fell from the scooter. A Bolero truck which was coming from behind, ran over Sharmila killing her on the spot.

The police have nabbed the truck driver, who has been identified as Madesha. A case has been registered against him under the IPC sections concerned for rash and negligent driving and for causing death by negligence. Further investigations are underway.

Accidents reported due to potholes in the last four months:

• A physically challenged elderly man died in an accident after his two-wheeler ran into a pothole near Manganahalli in the wee hours of September 6.
• Another two-wheeler rider, a native of Sirsi, came under the wheels of a speeding minibus while trying to avoid a pothole on September 16. The incident took place near Kanteerava Studio.
• A 47-year-old man died when his bike skidded and hit the barricades set up to cover a dug-up area in the middle of Hesaraghatta main road on September 17.
• A sub-inspector with the Excise Department was killed in an accident when he tried to avoid a pothole and came under the wheels of a lorry on Magadi Road on October 6.
• A teenager was run over by a truck after she fell off her scooter while trying to avoid a large pothole on Magadi Road. The incident occurred on October 9.
• A 21-year-old food-delivery executive fell off his gearless scooter while negotiating a pothole on Thanisandra main road and was run over by a goods truck on November 27.