Nagpur, India: After seven back-to-back crashes involving heavy vehicles at the Shaheed Gowari (Sitabuldi) flyover, the Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to install LED-lit height barriers at both ends of the flyover to improve safety and prevent further accidents.

Since 3 June, multiple heavy vehicles — including tankers and dumpers — have collided with newly installed iron height barriers at Rahate Colony and Zero Mile ends of the flyover. Despite existing rumble strips and signboards, drivers continued to ignore warnings and rammed into the structures, raising serious safety concerns.

The iron barriers, weighing nearly two tonnes and costing ₹25 lakh, were meant to restrict the entry of large vehicles onto the flyover, which is not structurally designed to handle such loads. However, the lack of visibility at night and poor driver awareness has led to repeated damage.

To address this, the PWD now plans to install LED lights on the barriers to make them more visible, especially during low-light hours. Officials also emphasised that the barriers have been anchored on strong foundations to prevent easy dislodging during impact.

Meanwhile, traffic authorities are also being urged to step up enforcement in the area. Suggestions include deploying traffic police personnel near the flyover and setting up surveillance systems to monitor and penalise violators.

The repeated crashes have not only posed a danger to motorists but also threatened the structural safety of the flyover. Authorities are hoping the addition of LED-lit height barriers will serve as an effective warning system and reduce the chances of future accidents.