Road humps in Shivamogga: Following fatal accident, corporation decides to remove unscientific humps

Following the death of a person, allegedly due to a recently constructed unscientific road hump on the Shivamogga-Shikaripur Road (Savalanga Road) in the city, the Shivamogga City Corporation has initiated a drive to remove humps that do not meet the authorised engineering standards.

Suhail Ulla, a resident of Ragigudda, was returning home after his working hours at a mobile phone shop on February 12, when he met with an accident on Savalanga Road. While riding his two-wheeler, Suhail Ulla hit a newly-laid speed bump at high speed, causing him to be thrown off the bike and sustain a serious head injury. Three days later, he succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in the city. Video footage captured by CCTV cameras installed by a shop near the accident site went viral on social media. Soon after the accident, the residents of the locality took the initiative to ensure that the speed bump was removed with the help of an earth mover.

Besides the fatal accident, there were a few minor mishaps in the city due to the recently laid unscientific humps. A senior citizen riding a two-wheeler fell off the vehicle after hitting a hump on the same road. Regular commuters on the road that connects the railway station to Vinoba Nagar also suffered jolts due to the newly laid hump near the railway station.

The public complained to the Shivamogga City Corporation and the police that unscientific road humps, which lack proper signage, warnings, and reflective paint, are causing accidents. They demanded that the authorities remove such humps immediately.

Mayanna Gowda, the commissioner of the corporation, held a meeting with officers regarding the issue on Tuesday. He formed a team of officials to inspect all the humps constructed in recent months and identify those that do not meet the required standards. The officers travelled around the city on two-wheelers and four-wheelers, identifying more than 15 such humps.

The commissioner has told the media that the unscientific road humps would be removed and measures would be taken to ensure the humps meet the standards set by the Indian Road Congress.