Chittoor officials are cracking down on road safety failures along the NH-40 corridor, where repeated accidents near flyover construction sites have caused 14 deaths and over 40 injuries in the past five years. During a joint inspection on Wednesday, top district officials ordered immediate safety upgrades — including reflective signboards, warning lights, zebra crossings, and barricades — at accident-prone zones between Chittoor and Ranipet. They also urged the speedy completion of ongoing flyover works to reduce road chaos and prevent further loss of life.
The site visits came in the wake of alarming feedback presented at a recent crime review meeting, where local police flagged persistent dangers around the MCR flyover and nearby roadwork zones. Officials found that basic safety provisions like lighting and signage were missing or insufficient, particularly at night. They also noted lapses in worksite management practices that left pedestrians, construction workers, and motorists vulnerable to collisions. Highway engineers were asked to treat safety as non-negotiable and to coordinate closely with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to enforce compliance. The Chittoor-Ranipet NH-40 stretch is a vital connector between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, carrying a high volume of commercial and passenger vehicles. The MCR flyover under construction near Nandimangalam is intended to decongest a notoriously dangerous junction.
However, delays and poor risk mitigation during construction have turned the area into a high-fatality zone. Officials have now roped in regional hospitals and civic bodies, including those in Ranipet and Vellore, to support signage, medical response systems, and community awareness campaigns around the project zones. Authorities say flyover delays not only exacerbate traffic problems but also directly contribute to accidents, especially at night when visibility is low. The Collector instructed project teams to speed up the remaining civil works and coordinate with utility providers to avoid further blockages. Meanwhile, the Superintendent of Police announced enhanced patrolling and surveillance in known black spots. Collaborative efforts are underway with officials from multiple departments, including Roads and Buildings (R&B), health services, and local municipalities.
While infrastructure development is critical for regional growth, officials emphasised that human safety must be the highest priority. As Chittoor continues to urbanise rapidly, the district is increasingly grappling with the trade-off between speed of construction and safety compliance. By mandating accountability from all stakeholders — including contractors, engineers, and support agencies — officials hope to transform a deadly corridor into a safer, smarter mobility route for everyone.
