Bhubaneswar: The transport department and the police have identified 13 new black spots in the city that witnesses frequent road accidents.

Following this, the public works department has swung into action to take measures to prevent such accidents.

The black spots at located in places such as Chandrasekharpur, Chandaka, Mancheswar, Patia, Unit-VIII, Khandagiri, Balianta, Raghunathpur, Saheed Nagar, Biswanathpur and Anantapur. The data has been provided by different police stations.

"The areas have been identified based on the number of accidents there in the past years. We will verify the identified places with the help of our executive engineers and ascertain reasons for the frequent accidents. We will take safety measures once the report comes in," said works department chief engineer (roads) O.P. Patel.

The list submitted by the police to the works department include Kalinga Studio Chhak, Power House Chhak, New Aditya Care Chhak, Mancheswar Chhak and Science Park and OPTCL Street at Saheed Nagar.

Several of these sites lie on Bidyut Marg that connects Governor House with Patia. The stretch has five of the total 16 black spots in the city.

"It is a well-planned road of the city but does not have a single speed-breaker. Consequently, vehicles to speed up and face accidents," said Girish Mishra, a commuter at Power House Square.

According to the road safety directives on black spots, the authorities should put up proper signage indicating the black spots, crash-proof barriers and rumblers to ensure safety of commutes on the particular place. Earlier this year, the authorities had identified three black spots in the city - Satya Nagar Square, Shastri Nagar Square and Chandrasekharpur Square.

"We have put up signage and speed-breakers at the three points to let know people about the accidents that have occurred there. People were advised to be careful and avoid accidents. Hopefully, they are following the rules," said an official of the works department adding the accident data would be complied and made available shortly.

As many as 186 people died in 598 road accidents in 2016 in Bhubaneswar. In 2015, 175 people had died in 600 accidents, say statistics available with the police.

"It is the government's duty to ensure road safety, but at the same time, the commuters also need to be careful to be safe," said social worker Alok Mohanty.