At least eight people were killed and nine others injured after a tempo traveller carrying pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan’s Khatu Shyam temple plunged nearly 20 feet into a seasonal drain after breaking through a divider on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Kota district on Saturday morning, police said.
Police officers said that the Tempo Traveller was carrying around 20 passengers, most of whom were residents of Betul district in Madhya Pradesh. They had left Betul on Friday night to visit the Khatu Shyam temple in Reengus, Sikar district.
Seemliya Station House Officer (SHO) Nand Singh said that the vehicle had crossed the Karadiya toll plaza and was heading towards Sultanpur when the driver lost control. The vehicle broke through the divider, plunged into the drain and crashed into a wall.
The accident took place around 7 am. The impact severely damaged the front portion of the vehicle, trapping several passengers inside. Police suspect that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, although the exact cause of the accident is yet to be established, officers said.
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{{/usCountry}}Villagers and passers-by rushed to the spot and started helping the passengers. Police, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rescue personnel and emergency ambulance teams subsequently joined the operation, officers said, adding that an NHAI crane was deployed to retrieve the badly damaged vehicle.
“Four ambulances were immediately dispatched to the accident site after authorities received information about the incident,” Sultanpur Block Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Rajesh Samar said.
The injured were taken to the New Hospital attached to Kota Medical College and MBS Hospital for treatment. The condition of several passengers remains critical.
Following the accident, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited the hospital and met the injured passengers. Taking serious note of the accident, Birla directed the Kota district collector and superintendent of police to constitute a special investigation committee to examine the circumstances that led to the crash.
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“Based on the findings of the investigation, comprehensive measures will be taken to prevent such accidents in the future. We are conducting a road safety study on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway,” Birla said.
He added that a final review meeting would be held in November, following which accident-prone stretches and black spots falling under the jurisdiction of the NHAI or other departments would be rectified.
Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also expressed grief over the loss of lives. In a post on X, he wrote, “The news of the loss of lives in an accident involving a minibus travelling from Bhopal to Khatu Shyamji on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Kota is extremely saddening. I have directed the officials concerned to ensure proper treatment for the injured and provide all necessary assistance to those affected. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this loss. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
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Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed grief over the accident. In a post on X, he wrote, “The news of several people losing their lives in a road accident involving a minibus travelling from Bhopal to Khatu Shyamji in Kota district’s Simliya police station area is deeply saddening and heartbreaking.” He added, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May God give them strength to bear this irreparable loss. I also wish the injured a speedy recovery.”