Another link in chain of accidents,state worried

Jaidutt Kshirsagar,Minister for PWD (public undertaking),said the best way to prevent such accidents is opening the other four-lane carriageway,which is still under construction. “The issue was discussed in the House and we’re planning to take some steps along with the traffic police.”

One of these steps is a central monitoring station at the Worli end. “We’ve already put rumblers on some stretches. There are CCTVs but more are needed,along with connectivity to traffic headquarters. We will ask the traffic police to put up five additional speed guns. But the best way is still early commissioning of the North carriageway and we’re confident it will be done by January-end.”

Wednesday’s collision was between a Maruti Swift and a Zen,with one of the drivers allegedly under the influence of alcohol. The Swift went out of his control,veered into the opposite lane and crashed into the incoming Zen,the Worli police said.

“Ashu Singh (27) lost control of the Swift and it collided with the Zen,leaving Singh with head injuries,his cousin Suraj with bruises and Minash Badami (49) with a fractured leg. Singh is in Lilavati Hospital while his cousin was discharged after treatment,” said senior police inspector Bharat Worlikar of Worli.

Singh was heading back from Haji Ali,having drunk the previous night,the police said. “We have sent blood samples for analysis and will take action depending on what they show. As of now,he has been charged with rash and negligent driving and will be arrested when he is discharged from hospital,” an officer said.