At least three passengers were killed and 15 others injured when a tourist travels bus rammed into a container truck near Talegaon-Dashasar in Amravati on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, here on Thursday, officials said.
The bus with over 30 passengers was speeding on the Samruddhi corridor when it suddenly crashed into a container truck ahead and then banged on the road divider around 5 a.m.
At least three persons on board were killed instantly and 15 more injured, including eight critically, who have been rushed to hospitals in Talegaon-Dashasar and Amravati.
As per preliminary information from eyewitnesses, the bus driver may have dozed off at the wheel leading to the tragedy when most passengers were fast asleep at that hour.
The driver, whose identity is not known, has reportedly fled from the spot after the accident and police are on the lookout for him.
Police and rescue teams rushed to the spot and managed to remove the other passengers trapped inside the bus, while the bodies of the victims were sent for identification and autopsy.
The Nagpur-based Council for Protection of Rights (CPR)’s President Barrister Vinod Tiwari said his NGO and many others have repeatedly called for amenities at suitable intervals on the Samruddhi Expressway which has earned dubious sobriquets like ‘highway to hell’, ‘killer highway’, etc. after a series of accidental deaths.
He cited a recent study by the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) Nagpur highlighting the lack of halts/facilities which results in a condition called ‘highway hypnosis’ that culminates in crashes.
The VNIT report of its Traffic Engineering Department students said that after long hours of driving without break, drivers tend to develop ‘highway hypnosis’, a condition in which he/she zones out while driving, unable to remember what occurred in that specific period, just driving without absolute control over the steering and paying no attention to anything around.
Tiwari said despite the huge tragedy of July 1, 2023 when 25 passengers were killed in the bus accident at Buldhana on the same expressway, “the authorities have not learnt any lessons or taken effective remedial measures” and the highway remains a ‘death road’ for all travellers who dare to venture on it.
Tripura making significant strides towards rapid development: CM Dr Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the present state government is committed to delivering good governance to all sections of society, with the state making significant strides towards rapid development.
Wanted NSCN (K-YA) cadre held in Assam by security forces
The army and Assam Rifles in coordination with the Assam Police, apprehended a wanted top cadre of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Khaplang’s Yung Aung faction (NSCN-K-YA) from the state's Charaideo district, officials said on Monday.
PM Modi condemns Germany market attack, advocates brotherhood at CBCI Christmas event
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned attempts to incite violence in society, highlighting that the teachings of Jesus Christ promote love, harmony, and brotherhood.
National Awardee film-maker and 'parallel cinema' doyen Shyam Benegal dies at 90
Shyam Sunder S. Benegal, a multiple National Award winner and among the pioneers of ‘parallel cinema’ – with silver screen classics like “Junoon”, “Ankur”, “Manthan”, “Zubeida” and “The Making of the Mahatma” – passed away after a long battle with a kidney disease, his family said here on Monday.
End of no-detention policy: Students failing final exams in Classes 5, 8 will be retained in same grade
The central government has scrapped the "no-detention policy" in schools. In this regard, the Ministry of Education has issued an official Gazette notification.
Former SC judge V. Ramasubramanian appointed as NHRC Chairperson
After being without a regular designated head for over six months, the Centre on Monday cleared the appointment of retired Supreme Court judge Justice V. Ramasubramanian as the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Minister Sushanta Chowdhury chairs 15th meeting of state road safety council
The state road and transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Monday chaired the 15th meeting of the State Road Safety Council here at Agartala and said that the government is contemplating to ensure zero road accidents through generating more awareness.
Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb slams Congress's dynastic politics
Former Tripura Chief Minister and current Lok Sabha MP, Biplab Kumar Deb, on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party's dynastic politics, accusing it of surrendering power to the communists in the state due to family-based succession.