: The Lakhimpur-Bahraich stretch of National Highway-730, upgraded to ensure safer and smoother travel, has instead emerged as an accident-prone corridor, claiming 40 lives and leaving over 45 injured in major accidents since 2022.
The latest tragedy occurred on Monday morning in Isanagar police limits, where all 10 passengers of a Tata Magic van, including the driver, died after the vehicle rammed into a speeding truck while overtaking another vehicle. The victims included a government teacher and an engineer.
Earlier on May 7, five people travelling in an auto were killed and three injured after the vehicle collided head-on with a truck on Sharda bridge at Aira.
Officials said most accidents were linked to rash and negligent driving, encouraged by the relatively empty and wide highway. Poor visibility caused by fog and riverine conditions between the Sharda and Ghaghra rivers has further increased risks.
Kheri district magistrate Anjani Kumar Singh said the administration would implement the “4-Es” strategy --engineering, education, emergency response and enforcement--in coordination with highway, transport and police authorities.
ARTO SB Pandey said strict action would continue against overspeeding and overloaded vehicles, while urging drivers to follow speed limits and avoid risky overtaking on the dividerless highway.
{{/usCountry}}ARTO SB Pandey said strict action would continue against overspeeding and overloaded vehicles, while urging drivers to follow speed limits and avoid risky overtaking on the dividerless highway.
{{/usCountry}}