Karwar: Heavy rain in the coastal areas and Western Ghats accompanied by landslides is also one of the reasons for road accidents in Uttara Kannada district.

The district administration has ordered the departments concerned to address the issues that are causing accidents on highways.

 It is believed that accidents on National Highway-66 increased after road widening work began about five years ago.

 IRB Infrastructure has taken up the fourlaning of the road in the district and the work has not been completed.

 The ongoing work and the absence of signboards and barricades is adding to accidents, according to experts.

 As the work is not fully completed, vehicles have to change roads often. Ironically, no signboards and road reflectors have been installed at many of the crosses and this causes accidents, they said.

As part of their work, the road construction company has cut down many hills to widen the road. Some of the hills are partially cut. They have become vulnerable to landslides during rainy season.

To prevent landslides, vetiver grass has been laid at the notified hills near Bargi, Divigi and other villages.

 In some places, the road construction company installed shotcrete or sprayed concrete on hills to prevent landslides.

Deputy Commissioner S S Nakul told Express they have directed the road construction company to install reflectors, blinkers and barricades signboards where road work is going on.

He also said they identified low lying areas, hills that are vulnerable to landslides during the monsoon. All departments have taken necessary measures and the DC hopes the number of accidents will come down.