More than 500 students of Akshara College held a silent march in Anekal on Thursday, demanding restrictions on heavy vehicles during school and college hours after the death of a fellow student in a road accident on September 24.
The students organised the awareness march to prevent other residents from facing a similar loss. Carrying placards, they called for compliance with traffic rules, an end to speeding and safer driving practices, including keeping mobile phones away while driving. Their messages also stressed that no vehicle should be driven at a speed that puts children’s lives at risk.
The march began at ASB Grounds and passed through Devarakondappa Circle, Gandhi Circle and the bus stand before concluding at the police station. The route covers key parts of Anekal town where students, pedestrians, buses and other vehicles share the road space.
During the protest, the students submitted representations to the municipal authorities, the police department and the Public Works Department. They asked the municipality to remove roadside encroachments and create pedestrian pathways, the police to introduce stronger road-safety measures, and the Public Works Department to repair potholes on major roads.
The students also demanded restrictions on heavy-vehicle movement in the town during school and college hours. Student Nirupama said heavy vehicles should be prohibited during those periods and called for stricter police action after the death of her classmate. She also sought the repair of potholes and the removal of encroachments from the main road so that pedestrians can walk safely.
Another demand was for zebra-crossing markings at the town’s important junctions. Student Tejaswini said traffic-safety rules must receive greater attention because road accidents can result in the loss of valuable lives, and urged the local administration to take action.
The protest has placed several responsibilities across local institutions. Heavy-vehicle restrictions and enforcement would require action from traffic and police authorities, while clearing encroachments and creating pedestrian space falls within the municipality’s responsibilities. Road repairs and pothole maintenance were directed to the Public Works Department by the students. The representations submitted during the march now leave those agencies with specific safety concerns to address.
