The shocking accident of Yerpedu in which atleast 15 persons were killed and several others injured had given an opportunity for the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu to blame the officials of the district.
The ghastly incident occurred when a truck lost control, ploughed through a group of people in front of a police station, hit an electric pole uprooting it, and rammed a roadside shop at Yerpedu, 25 km from Tirupati on the Srikalahasti highway on last friday. As the pole came down, live wires snapped and fell on parked two-wheelers, which went up in flames leading to electrocution. Some bystanders who rushed to help the victims also suffered electrocution, while some were injured by the raging flames. The situation remained chaotic for over 10 minutes as nobody understood whether it was an accident, fire or electrocution.
Naidu said the Yerpedu incident exposes the failures of the police and revenue officials and the district Collectors and SPs are to be held responsible for the whole accident. The ill-fated truck driver was found in a drunken state, and the CM wondered how the officials have allowed him to drive the vehicle. Naidu blamed the officials of the Chittoor administration for not conducting regular checks on the vehicles and traffic management.
Further, the AP CM directed the district Collectors and the SPs to conduct frequent reviews on the road safety in their respective districts and also have checks on road for drunken drive and other violations. There should be a regular check on vehicles thoroughly for permits, licenses, fitness and the status of the drivers to prevent such accidents. The officials of the revenue, police and transport departments should have coordination in preventing accidents on the roads, added the AP CM.
Additionally, the CM also wanted the district administrations to keep a regular and through check on the sand mining and transportation, to avoid illegal sand quarrying and smuggling. Naidu strictly warned the officials to prevent such illegal activity. Naidu claimed that he had already suspended the membership of two TDP leaders for their alleged involvement in illegal sand mining in Chittoor district, and stated that he would not hesitate to take action against anyone.
Chittoor MP Shivaprasad Raises Voice Against AP CM Chandrababu
By Supraja
