What was intended as a measure to manage traffic congestion has turned into a major road hazard along the stretch connecting Shani Mandir and Ushatai Gogte School in Belagavi.
The unanchored police barricades placed in the middle of the road are toppling over during strong gusts of wind, triggering multiple near-misses and skidding accidents among two-wheeler riders.
The traffic police installed these barricades roughly a fortnight ago to streamline peak-hour vehicular movement. However, poor stability has rendered them dangerous. When hit by strong winds, the lightweight barriers fall into the path of oncoming traffic without warning.
Commuters navigating the busy road often have to brake abruptly or swerve suddenly to dodge fallen barricades, resulting in riders losing control and sustaining minor injuries. The danger increases significantly after dark or during foul weather, when visibility is low and reaction times are shorter.
Local motorists and residents have urged the traffic authorities to address the issue immediately by either properly weighting the barricades so they withstand heavy winds or removing them from unnecessary, narrow sections of the corridor.
