28-Kilometre Stretch of Delhi-Kolkata NH-19 Raises Safety Concerns, Black Spots and Forest Zone Increase Risk of Accidents and Crime
Gaya: A nearly 28-kilometre stretch of the Delhi-Kolkata National Highway-19 (NH-19) passing through the Barachatti police station area in Gaya district has become a matter of serious concern from both road safety and law-and-order perspectives. While several accident-prone black spots continue to claim lives and cause serious road accidents, the approximately 12-kilometre-long isolated forest stretch between Jaigir Mor and Bhalua Chatti is increasingly being viewed as a safe hideout for criminals.
According to local residents, transport operators, and social organizations, the lack of adequate security arrangements and insufficient surveillance in the forest area have significantly increased the risks of both road accidents and criminal activities. They believe immediate intervention by the authorities is essential to ensure the safety of commuters using this important national highway.
Serious Concerns Over Road Safety
NH-19 is one of India's busiest national highways, carrying thousands of passenger and commercial vehicles every day. It serves as a crucial transport corridor connecting Bihar with Jharkhand, West Bengal, and several northern Indian states, making it highly significant for trade and commerce.
Despite its importance, the 28-kilometre stretch passing through Barachatti has long been plagued by safety concerns. Dangerous road geometry, sharp curves, unauthorized median cuts, and widespread wrong-side driving have made several sections highly accident-prone.
Multiple Black Spots Responsible for Frequent Accidents
Several locations along the highway have been identified as major accident-prone zones. These include Bhalua Big Cut, the sharp curve at 71 Mile Cut, Jaigir Mor, the wrong-side driving stretch from Bumer Mor to Gajragarh, the underpass near Block Mor, Sulebata Underpass, and Sobh Mini Underpass.
These locations have witnessed numerous accidents due to overspeeding, vehicles entering from the wrong direction, inadequate warning signs, and negligent driving. Many accidents have resulted in fatalities, while several others have left people seriously injured.
Wrong-Side Driving Remains a Major Challenge
Road safety experts say that wrong-side driving has emerged as one of the biggest threats on this stretch of NH-19. Many motorists take unauthorized shortcuts or avoid designated U-turns by driving against traffic, significantly increasing the risk of head-on collisions.
Residents have urged authorities to crack down on wrong-side driving and permanently close unauthorized median openings to reduce the number of accidents.
Forest Stretch Becoming a Safe Haven for Criminals
The approximately 12-kilometre forest stretch between Jaigir Mor and Bhalua Chatti has also become a major law-and-order concern.
Local residents claim that several abandoned bodies and human skeletons have been recovered from the area over the years. Although investigations were launched in many of these cases, several incidents remain unsolved.
The isolated nature of the forest has created a sense of insecurity among travelers, especially during nighttime. Truck drivers and other motorists reportedly exercise extra caution while passing through this section.
Demand for Stronger Surveillance
Residents and community organizations have urged the administration to strengthen police patrolling in the forest area. They have also demanded the installation of CCTV cameras, high-mast lighting, and continuous highway surveillance to deter criminal activities.
According to local people, enhanced monitoring would discourage criminals and restore confidence among commuters traveling along the route.
Need for Better Highway Engineering
Road safety experts believe that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. They emphasize the need for improvements in highway engineering to reduce accidents.
Experts have recommended installing better traffic signs, reflective markers, speed-calming measures, warning boards, stronger road dividers, safer U-turn facilities, and improved street lighting at identified black spots. They also suggested constructing additional underpasses or overbridges wherever necessary.
Drivers Urged to Exercise Caution
Traffic experts have appealed to motorists to strictly follow speed limits, avoid wrong-side driving, and remain particularly alert while traveling at night.
Long-distance drivers have also been advised to take adequate rest before driving, always wear seat belts or helmets as applicable, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances.
Growing Concern Among Local Residents
People living in nearby villages say that frequent accidents and criminal incidents have negatively affected the area's reputation. Many families have lost loved ones in road accidents, while criminal activities have created a constant sense of fear.
Residents have urged authorities to conduct regular safety reviews, establish additional police outposts, and develop a rapid emergency response system along the highway.
Administration Expected to Take Swift Action
Experts believe that ensuring safety on this important highway requires coordinated efforts from multiple agencies, including the National Highways Authority, the police, and the district administration.
Residents hope that immediate measures such as improving black spots, eliminating wrong-side driving, enhancing security in the forest stretch, and deploying modern surveillance systems will be implemented without delay.
The Barachatti stretch of the Delhi-Kolkata National Highway-19 is one of the country's most important transport corridors. Strengthening both road safety and law-and-order mechanisms along this route is essential. Timely and effective action can significantly reduce road accidents, curb criminal activities, and ensure safer travel for the thousands of commuters who use this highway every day.
