Motorists driving on National Highway 19 (old name NH-2 or Delhi Road), be extremely careful while plying beyond Dankuni Toll Plaza from Kolkata. The highway is full of potholes of different dimensions. While driving at high speed, any miss to dodge a hole may lead to a fatal accident.
The potholes on the highway have developed over the last few months of lockdown, lying uncared for, in spite of the toll tax being collected by the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) for maintaining the highway.
There are numerous accidents happening every minute at different parts of the highway due to the potholes. The accidents range from tyre burst to skid, resulting in heavy injuries and deaths. The severest of calamities are faced by the two-wheelers as these vehicles are those most susceptible to the danger on the high speed corridor.

LOCATION
Maximum number of potholes exists between the Dankuni and Palsit Toll Plaza stretch of NH-19 (NH-2) titled as the 'Durgapur Expressway' – a disgrace to the tag ‘Expressway’ and extends up to Panagarh.

PATTERN
The potholes have a distinct pattern – they are generally found in groups of 4 or 5 – lying one after the other, in straight lines, along the thoroughfare.
The holes have sprung up mainly on the right lanes of both the north and south-bound flanks of the dual carriageway. It seems that the holes have been formed by the movement of heavy vehicles and have grown with every passing day, having been left ignored and unattended.

CAUTION TO MOTORISTS
? Do not exceed the speed beyond 60 kmph to negotiate the potholes – as they become noticeable only at short distances.
? Do not follow the cars ahead at close, bumper-to-bumper distance. Maintain adequate distance from the car ahead of you so that you have a clear field of vision for negotiating the potholes.
? Try and keep to the left lanes on both the flanks of the highway, as most of the potholes have developed on the right lanes of each flank.
? Avoid swerving to avoid ramming by or into vehicles.
v) Put light indicators for changing lanes and to prevent bumping from behind.
? Do not brake abruptly, else there is every chance of getting hit from behind. Driving slow will help you to brake judiciously.
? Avoid driving at night.
? Check spare tyre, jack, handle and wheel range inside the car and air pressures of the tyres before setting off. Checking the condition of wiper blades is also important during monsoons.

APPEAL
Numerous accidents are occurring everyday due to the emerging potholes on the high-speed expressway. Team WHEELS appeals to NHAI to repair the highway immediately.
Although a few patchworks have been done in some of the stretches, plenty of potholes are still lying unattended.
Every passing minute is vital to Save Lives. Action needs to be taken! Now!!