Mandya, June 24 -- In a bid to avoid accidents and deaths, various Departments have constructed crash barriers along 35-km stretch of Visvesvaraya Canal, said Mandya DC Dr. Kumara.

Presiding over a review meeting to discuss on preventing accidents near VC Canal yesterday, Dr. Kumara said, about 15 people had died in various accidents over the past two years following which a technical team has been formed and a proposal has been submitted to State Government for the release of Rs. 20 crore.

"While the canal spans about 540 kms, it is difficult to install barriers to the entire stretch. Hence, Public Works Department (PWD) has identified accident-prone areas and constructed crash barriers for 20-km stretch while Irrigation Department has...