Arattupuzha: Sand deposited on the coastal road at Arattupuzha in Alappuzha district during a recent sea surge is posing a big risk to the lives of motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders. Last Sunday, a bike rider was killed near Karthika Junction after he lost balance on the sand-covered road and fell under a private bus.

Currently, mounds of sand can be seen along almost the entire stretch of the coastal road from Valiyakeezhikkal to Arattupuzha Junction. A sea surge in the area a few weeks ago led to the situation, and the reluctance of the authorities to completely remove the sand covering the road is causing accidents. Even though large vehicles are able to negotiate the stretch, two-wheelers get stuck on the sand and end up in accidents.

Normally, the sand that gets accumulated on the coastal road is removed by the panchayat authorities or the Public Works Department. Sometimes, residents of the area carry out the task when accidents become frequent. The local people have now sought urgent measures by the authorities to clear sand from the road at Karthika Junction and Perumbally, where accidents have become common.