Narrow escape for autorickshaw and car passengers

Mysuru: With just four days to go for the Jumboo Savari on Oct. 21, the collapse of Dasara illumination arches at different locations has raised safety concerns among citizens.

This morning, an illumination arch crashed on Sayyaji Rao Road, which forms part of the Jumboo Savari route, causing panic among pedestrians. The arch fell on an autorickshaw (KA-09-C-5514) and a car (KA-12-P-3808), damaging their front portions. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Citizens have urged the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to ensure public safety. Dasara elephants walk along the Sayyaji Rao Road every day as part of their route-familiarisation exercise. Such incidents could also pose a risk to the elephants.

The heavy arch that collapsed today was installed between K.R. Circle and Government Ayurveda College and Hospital. It reportedly lacked adequate support to keep it firmly in place, which is believed to have led to the collapse.

It may be recalled that a similar incident occurred on Oct. 3, when an illumination arch collapsed on a tempo traveller at Gun House Circle near Mysore Palace.

Another such incident was reported recently on the Outer Ring Road.