In a statement that has sparked controversy, Telangana BJP MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy has attributed the rise in road accidents to the development of “good and smooth roads”, following a tragic road accident in the state that claimed 19 lives.
The accident occurred late Monday night near Nalgonda district, when a speeding bus collided head-on with a truck, leaving several others critically injured. Eyewitnesses reported that the collision was so severe that both vehicles were reduced to mangled wrecks within minutes.
Reacting to the incident, MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy said, “The number of accidents has gone up because the roads are now too good. People tend to drive faster, not realizing the risk involved. Smooth roads give a false sense of safety.”
While some social media users supported his view, saying over-speeding on newly built highways has indeed become a major cause of accidents, others criticized the remark as insensitive and deflecting responsibility from poor enforcement of traffic rules and lack of safety measures.
Road safety experts argue that while improved infrastructure is necessary, it must be complemented with speed regulation, awareness campaigns, and strict traffic monitoring. “Good roads don’t cause accidents — bad driving does. It’s the lack of discipline and oversight that leads to such tragedies,” said a transport safety analyst from Hyderabad.
The Telangana Police have launched an investigation into the Nalgonda accident and are checking whether the drivers involved were under fatigue or over-speeding. The victims’ families have demanded compensation and stricter enforcement of road safety norms.
As Telangana continues to expand its highway network, this incident has reignited the debate over the balance between infrastructure development and public safety — and whether awareness is keeping pace with progress on the ground.
