Two Youths Killed After Being Hit by Car on Greenfield Highway
Two youths were killed in a road accident on Friday after they were allegedly struck by a speeding car on the Thachur-Chittoor Greenfield National Highway near Pallipattu in Tiruvallur district. The victims were identified as E. Jayakumar, 19, and S. Lokesh, 17, both residents of Elayamman Kovil Street in Karlampakkam village near Pallipattu.
According to the police, the car was travelling from Bengaluru towards Chennai when it hit the two youths, who were reportedly standing on the highway at the time. The impact was such that both died on the spot. Preliminary investigations suggest the victims were engaged in filming video reels on the carriageway, although this has not been officially confirmed. The police are looking into all aspects of the incident.
Pallipattu police have registered a case and are conducting a detailed investigation. Senior officers from the district visited the spot to assess the situation. The driver of the car has been detained for questioning, and the vehicle has been seized. The police are collecting evidence, including CCTV footage from nearby installations, to establish the exact sequence of events.
The Thachur-Chittoor Greenfield National Highway is a six-lane expressway designed for high-speed vehicular movement. Pedestrian access is strictly prohibited on such corridors. However, despite clear signage and repeated warnings, people have been observed entering these roads, often for recreational activities such as taking photographs or filming videos. Safety experts have repeatedly pointed out the grave risks involved in such actions.
The Greenfield corridor was built to decongest the existing Chennai-Bengaluru highway and reduce travel time. It is fully fenced at many places, but gaps exist near village settlements. Residents of nearby villages have often complained about the lack of safe crossing points. Authorities have acknowledged the issue and have been working on improving accessibility.
This incident has once again brought attention to the issue of pedestrian safety on expressways. In recent years, several accidents have been reported across the country involving people who stepped onto highways to create content for social media. The National Highways Authority of India has issued advisories against such practices, and local authorities have launched awareness campaigns. Yet, enforcement remains a challenge.
The local community is in shock. Residents of Karlampakkam village expressed grief over the loss of two young lives. "They were inseparable friends and always together. We are devastated," said a neighbour. The bodies have been sent to a government hospital for post-mortem, and the families have been informed.
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, walking on a controlled-access highway where pedestrians are prohibited is an offence. In this case, the investigation will determine whether the car driver was negligent or was speeding. The speed limit on this stretch is 100 kmph for cars, and the police are checking whether it was exceeded.
Road safety activists have called for stricter enforcement of rules and better design of highway fencing. They argue that awareness alone is insufficient and that proactive measures such as installing barriers and surveillance cameras at vulnerable points are necessary to prevent such tragedies.
Meanwhile, the police have appealed to eyewitnesses to come forward with any information that could assist the inquiry. They have also urged motorists to exercise caution while driving on expressways and reminded the public that such roads are meant exclusively for vehicles. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they emerge.
