Mangalore: Nantoor Junction Nightmare to Motorists; 2 Trucks Collide

By Robert DD’Costa
Pics by John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 13 Jun 2014: Four persons were injured in a collision of 2 trucks at the busy Nantoor junction of Mangalore – Udupi national highway and Mangalore – Moodbidri state highway at the wee hours here on Friday June 13.
 
The granite-laden truck registered in Gujarat plying on Udupi – Mangalore national highway towards Mahaveer roundabout at Pumpwell, here collided with Karnataka (Bangalore) registered fish feed laden truck while taking right turn from Mangalore – Moodbidri state highway towards Mangalore – Udupi national highway at Nantoor junction at about 3.45am on Friday.  The stpcl pf fish feed was supposed to be delivered to Priya Traders in Kundapur. 
 
The policemen on duty at the spot said that the granite-laden truck driver was driving straight, he did not notice the fish feed laden truck taking a right turn at Nantoor junction, as his view was blocked by 2 trucks on left side and it was too late to apply the brakes, while in the process his truck rammed the fish feed truck that rolled over on the traffic island.

 

 
It can be recalled that it’s the second such incident taking place within a month at the same spot.  In an earlier case, a truck laden with Cocoa Cola was overturned at the same spot.
 
The drivers and cleaners of both the truck on Friday’s incident survived with minor injuries.
 
Mangalore rural police registered a case in this regard.
 
Meanwhile, the cargo of rolled-over truck was loaded into another truck and the damaged truck was only cleared by towing to a workshop here on Friday at 2.45pm.
 
Its significant that Nantoor junction lacks humps and proper road signs to slow down quite ahead as one approaches the junction.  The novice drivers are not aware of major junction till they approach the traffic island.  Its high time that the traffic police and national highway officers find a scientific solution to avoid future road mishaps on the spot.