JAIPUR:
National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) data reveals that the Bhankrota section of NH-48, where Friday's deadly crash occurred, was among seven dangerous zones identified on the Jaipur-Kishangarh route earlier this year. However, only 55% of planned safety improvements had been completed at the site by November, the lowest progress rate among all identified hazard zones in the region.
The death toll from Friday's explosion rose to 13 on Saturday, with seven people still unaccounted for and several more battling for their lives in critical condition. The disaster began when a truck collided with an LPG tanker attempting a U-turn near Delhi Public School at 5.25 am, creating a fireball that engulfed 34 vehicles.
Police records paint a stark picture of the location's dangers: 84 accidents occurred in the Bhankrota highway section this year alone, claiming 38 lives and injuring 54 others. December had already seen seven crashes before Friday's catastrophe.
"The registered cases are only the fatal ones. But, three to four accidents take place in this area daily," said Bhankrota station house officer Manish Gupta, whose office is within a kilometre of the crash site. "The poor condition of the roads, and the unplanned flyover projects are biggest challenge to manage the traffic here,"
This story is from the December 22, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Amritsar.
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This story is from the December 22, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Amritsar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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