Key Points
- Casualties: Four fatalities confirmed, three victims remain in critical condition at the district hospital.
- Location: The incident occurred near Chuli village within the Jagatpur police station limits.
- Context: The victims were walking home from a community feast, known as a bhandara, at a local temple.
- Investigation: Police have seized the abandoned vehicle, while the driver remains at large.
- Safety Concerns: The accident highlights the growing danger of unauthorized public access to unfinished expressway stretches.
What was intended to be a day of spiritual celebration turned into a night of mourning for the residents of Kodar village. On Sunday evening, seven young women visited a newly constructed temple in Chuli village to participate in a bhandara, a traditional community feast.
As the group began their journey home around 7 PM, they chose to walk along a section of the under-construction Ganga Expressway. While they were traveling toward Kodar village, a car traveling at high speed from the direction of Lalganj lost control. The vehicle struck the group from behind with such force that several victims were propelled into the deep drainage ditches lining the roadside.
Victims and Community Impact
The village of Kodar is currently in a state of shock as families process the loss of four young lives. Two of the women died instantly at the scene, while two others succumbed to their extensive injuries during transport to medical facilities. The deceased has been identified as:
- Shalini (22), daughter of Jang Bahadur
- Himanshi (23), daughter of Dal Bahadur
- Rashmi (14), daughter of Ramratan
- Asma (18)
The three survivors are currently battling for their lives under intensive care. Local officials describe the scene as harrowing, noting that the severity of the impact left little room for immediate life-saving intervention for those closest to the point of collision.
Police Response and Legal Action
Upon receiving reports of the mass casualty event, senior law enforcement officials, including Superintendent of Police Ravi Kumar, Additional SP Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, and CO City Arun Kumar Nauhwar, arrived at the site with a significant police presence.
While the driver of the car managed to flee the scene under the cover of darkness, the vehicle involved was left behind and has been taken into police custody. Forensic teams are examining the car for evidence, and multiple police units have been dispatched to track down the registered owner and the individual behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
The Danger of Under-Construction Infrastructure
This incident brings renewed scrutiny to the safety protocols surrounding the Ganga Expressway, a massive infrastructure project designed to connect Meerut to Prayagraj. Although the expressway is not yet open to the public, local residents frequently use the paved stretches for travel between villages, often unaware of the risks posed by high-speed, unauthorized traffic.
Authorities have previously warned against the illegal movement of pedestrians and private vehicles on these unfinished segments. However, the lack of physical barriers and the absence of formal traffic monitoring on construction sites continue to contribute to fatal accidents, as speeding drivers often take advantage of the empty lanes without regard for safety regulations.
