Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) April 9: A tourist vehicle narrowly escaped a serious accident around 9 PM on April 8 after veering into a roadside drain at a blind turn in Garacharma, near the Muthoot Finance branch. The yellow-board Toyota Innova, registration number AN01G8877, was traveling from Bhathu Basti when the incident occurred.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the Innova driver swerved sharply to avoid a motorcyclist who was overtaking a truck in the wrong lane on the blind curve. The sudden maneuver caused the vehicle to slip into the adjacent drain. The driver was alone in the car and emerged uninjured. Police confirmed that no other vehicles were directly involved and the driver was not under the influence of alcohol.
While the Innova sustained minor damage, including a broken rear-left indicator, it was later removed from the scene. Local authorities and residents have highlighted that the location poses significant risks due to limited visibility and sharp turns.
Traffic officials have repeatedly warned against overtaking on curves, particularly at night, noting that restricted sightlines make accidents more likely. Residents urged immediate safety measures, including the installation of warning blinkers, enhanced signage, and speed control devices to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns over road safety in Garacharma, where vehicle traffic has increased in residential and commercial areas. Authorities have been called upon to assess high-risk zones and implement preventive measures to protect motorists and pedestrians.
Police from Pahargaon conducted an on-site investigation and continue to monitor the area to ensure proper traffic management. Officials stated that while no injuries occurred in this incident, unregulated overtaking and inadequate signage at blind turns remain a persistent hazard in the islands.
