Tiruvallur Initiates Comprehensive Audit of Accident Zones in the Wake of Alarming Spate of Crashes

Following a spate of road accidents, Tiruvallur district has initiated a comprehensive audit of accident zones, focusing both on fatal and non-fatal crash zones. This follows a record 188 road accidents, including 49 deaths, in February alone.

Task forces made up of transport, police, and revenue authorities have commenced ground checks in areas that are considered to be high-risk locations like Red Hills, Poonamallee, and Tiruvallur town. District Collector M. Prathap instructed crash data over the last five years to see whether there are any issues related to road design or infrastructure leading to the issue. “Where corrective measures are required, corrective measures will be put in place,” said Prathap.

The suburb, which is an important residential and logistics area around the edge of Chennai, has the three big roads of NH-716, NH-16, and NH-48 slicing through it. The recent Avadi City Police Commissioner K. Shankar’s near-miss, wherein his vehicle was knocked from behind by a maxi lorry on GNT Road, has highlighted the need for concern.

Pre-inquiry findings, seen by The New Indian Express and state government officials, have pinpointed various blackspots, particularly on NH-205. Some of the prominent risk zones are Arcotkuppam Junction to Canara Bank, Arcotkuppam Bridge to Pudhur Bus Stand, and Pudhur Junction to Narayanapuram Road. Speed-calming measures and enhanced lighting are being implemented instantly in these hotspots.

The Mappedu–Sunguvarchatram road is also under fire for poor lighting and missing signage, while the Tiruvallur–Tiruttani stretch has been dubbed a “continuous danger zone.” In Poonamallee, the Palivakkam signal has emerged as a crash spot owing to damaged service roads and potholes.

The unresolved problems, such as the non-operational high-mast light at Thirumazhisai junction, continue to be pending due to the delayed power supply. The U-turns by heavy vehicles at Red Hills Padiyanallur signal a consequence of the non-existence of cloverleaf interchanges remain a source of risks.

Researchers are calling for the transition towards predictive safety models. “We should have data-driven, anticipatory detection of ‘grey spots’ before they blow up,” said P.S. Reashma, Mobility and Road Safety Specialist at Street Matrix.

Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India has approved a new four-lane access-controlled highway for the region to be completed by December 2026.