Accidents along VC Canal, Mandya

Earlier in 2025, various Departments had constructed crash barriers along a 35-km stretch of VC Canal

Mandya: The Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL), Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Division, has invited tenders for extending the installation of metal beam crash barriers along the Visvesvaraya Canal (VC Canal) in Mandya district, where repeated accidents have claimed several lives.

In the first phase of the works carried out in 2025, various Departments constructed crash barriers along a 35-km stretch of the VC Canal. The Public Works Department (PWD) installed barriers along 20 kms, while the Irrigation Department covered 13 kms and other Departments took up the remaining 2 kms.

The CNNL has now proposed to extend the crash barriers by another 32 kms along stretches where vehicles have frequently plunged into the canal. Metal beam crash barriers will be installed in Pandavapura taluk at an estimated cost of Rs. 9.89 crore at Mandya-Tendekere Road near Billenahalli.

Several fatal accidents have occurred along the VC Canal over the years. However, basic safety measures such as retaining walls and crash barriers have not been provided along the entire stretch, leaving several portions of the canal-side roads hazardous.

Committee report

Following repeated accidents, the Mandya District Administration constituted a Committee in August 2023 comprising PWD Executive Engineer Harsha, CNNL Engineers and officials from other Departments to recommend safety measures. The Committee was tasked with suggesting measures such as crash barriers and warning signs at accident-prone locations.

Mandya DC Dr. Kumara asked the Committee to identify vulnerable stretches and recommend measures for construction and maintenance of crash barriers along VC Canal and lake bunds.

The Committee conducted field inspections, identified accident-prone stretches and submitted its report to the DC. The earlier 35-km stretch of crash barriers had been constructed before the formation of the Committee, while the latest 32-km project is an extension of the earlier work.

Other mitigating measures

Speaking to SOM, Dr. Kumara said, VC Canal runs for about 530 kms across Mandya. “Due to narrow roads, sharp curves and the absence of crash barriers, an average of 10 to 12 deaths occurred every year in accidents along the canal. Installing crash barriers along high-risk curves and narrow stretches is necessary, but providing barriers along all 530 kms is impractical,” he said.

“Road widening at narrow stretches and the installation of warning signs for motorists will also be taken up. Based on the Committee’s report, an overall proposal of Rs. 30 crore was submitted to the State Government. A tender worth Rs. 9.89 crore has now been floated for the initial phase. The remaining works will be taken up in subsequent phases,” he added.