Motorist Narrowly Escapes Crash into Deadly Divider on MG Road

On November 14th, 2025, a woman in Thiruvananthapuram had a harrowing experience when her car collided with a metal divider installed on MG Road. The divider, which was put in place to create a dedicated bus bay, has been posing a serious risk to both motorists and pedestrians in the area.

The incident occurred around 11:30 PM, when the driver, Lakshmi Kurup, was traveling from the Manacaud side. She did not notice the divider, which was painted black and lacked any reflective elements, until it was too late. The impact of the collision caused the metal rod to pierce the windscreen and hit the seat, narrowly missing Kurup's face.

"I was coming from the Manacaud side on the straight road. I didn't notice the divider because it was painted black and had no reflector. By the time I saw it, the car had already hit it. It's a miracle I survived," Kurup recounted.

The KSRTC, the state-run bus service, had installed the divider to prevent their buses from causing traffic blocks and to stop other vehicles, especially private buses, from entering the bay. However, the design of the structure has raised significant safety concerns, as it is nearly as tall as a car and lacks adequate reflective markings, making it particularly difficult to spot at night.

Following the accident, the authorities have taken some immediate steps to improve the situation. They have painted the East Fort end of the divider white, installed a reflector, and deployed a staff member to guide vehicles. However, concerns remain about the overall safety and accessibility of the bus bay, as commuters often have to run across the bay to catch private buses parked outside the divider.

As Thiruvananthapuram continues to grapple with the challenges posed by this infrastructure, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for more thoughtful and comprehensive planning to ensure the safety of all road users.