Port Blair, March 28: A truck over loaded with steel rods today caused the death of two labourers seated on top of the rods. The accident occurred today at around 11.40 am, near Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Port Blair when the truck loaded with steel rods beyond its capacity could not hold the load. 

The truck bearing registration no. AN 01 A1356 was on its way towards Bengali Club from Model School Junction when the rods slipped. Two labourers were crushed under the rods and succumbed to injuries on the spot while two others escaped with injuries.

The accident today has raised many questions on the safety of road users as such overloaded vehicles are a common sight in the islands. The local media on many occasions had apprised the concerned authorities about such violations of safety standards, yet it was always overlooked.

Plying of 10 wheelers (dumpers) which is meant to operate in mines, carrying bulldozers on high mounted trucks which meddles with High Tension Electric Lines, passengers overloaded  in busses, have always been ignored for reasons best known to the concerned authorities.

“Traffic Police in Andaman is more concerned to fining two wheeler riders who do not wear helmets. Helmets are for the safety of the concerned rider but what about these overloaded heavy vehicles that cause threat to other road users”, commented a spectator at the accident sight.

To add to it, it was noticed by Andaman Chronicle that a proper extended truck with labourers wearing industrial safety helmets where brought in to the accident sight to clear the scattered steel rods. Had such measures been enforced by the concerned authorities, today’s fatal accident could have been avoided.