‘Killer lorries ply unchecked'

They have been responsible for several road accidents over the past several years. However, last week’s horrific incident in which three college girls were mowed down by a speeding tanker lorry has angered many Chennaiites. 

What is even more shocking is that the mishap took place due to a technical failure, as police have revealed that the lorry’s brakes had failed. “A routine maintenance check could have averted the terrible tragedy,” said Harini R, a college student. Several motorists held a similar view . “It could have been any one of us under the wheels, as the accident happened in an arterial road. It is unpardonable that such lorries run with faulty brakes,” said N Arasu, an executive, whose office is in Guindy. 

When hundreds of tanker lorries are being operated by the Metro Water department and private entities in the city, there seems to be a complete lackadaisical approach on the part of transport authorities in monitoring the fitness of these vehicles. 

While the drivers blame their bosses for the mishaps, claiming they are overworked, members of the public and activists are demanding strong enforcement and retiring unfit lorries. 

Although Metro Water officials claim that they regularly check the condition of the water tankers owned by them at regular intervals, sources said that when the officials float tender for contractual lorries, they fail to do a background check on the fitness levels of lorries. “Further, the officials fail to carry out inspections regularly to verify if the tankers are fit to ply when carrying water to full capacity,” an official source said. “Also, most tankers do not install speed governors.” 

When contacted about poor safety norms of tanker lorries, a senior engineer with Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) said they have warned all the Metro Water tankers, including contractual lories, to strictly follow the guidelines laid down by the transport and police departments. “If such lorries do not conform to the rules henceforth, they would be suspended from our services,” he said. Installing of speed governors has been made mandatory, he added. “We have alerted drivers of all the water tankers to be cautious while driving. Further, we have formulated a team to monitor them and we will suspend the services, if drivers flout the norms,” the official said.

The autorickshaw was hit by the tanker that killed three

A driver of Metro Water tanker, on conditions of anonymity, said that they are transporting water from 6 am and they return to the depot at around 6 pm or 7 pm. “This could be one of the reasons for causing accidents, because drivers  doze off  due to tiredness and lack of sleep. So, officials should ensure that the drivers should not work beyond eight hours,” he said, and added that they were provided leave properly.