Key Points:
- Intoxicated dumper truck driver Kalyan Meena lost control of vehicle on Loha Mandi Road in Jaipur’s Harmara area around 1 pm on Monday, November 3, 2025, crushing 17 vehicles over 300-meter stretch
- Death toll stands at 13-14 confirmed (various sources cite 13-19), with over 40 injured and many victims suffering mutilated bodies with severed limbs
- Driver Kalyan Meena, a Jaipur resident from Viratnagar, apprehended at scene and found to be intoxicated; medical tests underway to confirm blood alcohol content
- Dumper truck (registration RJ-14 GP 8724) reportedly empty at time of incident; triggered chain-reaction collisions after argument with car driver near petrol pump 1.5 km before crash
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia compensation from PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for deceased families and ₹50,000 for injured
- This is fourth major road accident in Rajasthan within 20 days: October 14 AC bus fire killed 28; October 29 sleeper coach fire killed 2 and injured 10; November 2 Phalodi tempo collision killed 15
- In simultaneous tragedy, tempo traveller carrying 15 pilgrims collided with stationary trailer near Matoda in Phalodi district on Bharatmala Highway on November 2, killing 15 including 4 children and 10 women
- Phalodi victims were Mali community pilgrims returning from Kolayat temple in Bikaner district; tempo attempted high-speed overtake when it hit parked truck in front of dhaba
- Haphazardly parked trucks near roadside eateries cited as contributing factor in Phalodi accident; rescue teams struggled to extract bodies from twisted metal wreckage
- Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma directed officials to provide assistance to victims’ families and ensure proper medical care for injured
- CCTV footage captured the Jaipur incident showing dumper crushing pedestrians; speeding and reckless driving cited as suspected causes
Jaipur: Jaipur experienced one of its worst traffic disasters in recent memory on Monday afternoon when an intoxicated dumper truck driver embarked on a horrifying rampage through a crowded commercial area, leaving a trail of destruction, crushed vehicles, and severed body parts in his wake. The incident, which unfolded around 1 pm in the busy Loha Mandi area under Jaipur’s Harmara police station jurisdiction, claimed at least 13-14 lives and left more than 40 people injured in what has been described as a 300-meter stretch of devastation.
Intoxicated Driver Loses Control
The dumper truck driver, identified as Kalyan Meena from Jaipur’s Viratnagar locality, was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol when he lost complete control of the massive machine near Loha Mandi. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Bjarang Singh Shekhawat, “In a preliminary investigation, it was found that the driver, Kalyan Meena from Jaipur’s Virat Nagar, was intoxicated. His medical test is ongoing”. Meena was apprehended at the scene by vigilant bystanders before police arrived, and he was subsequently admitted to Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital’s trauma center under police custody.
Chain-Reaction Collision Over 300 Meters
The dumper truck, bearing registration number RJ-14 GP 8724, was reportedly empty at the time of the incident and heading from Road No. 14 toward the Loha Mandi petrol pump to access the highway. Police investigations revealed that approximately 1.5 kilometers before the crash, Meena had an altercation with a car driver near the petrol pump. Shortly afterward, the out-of-control dumper began plowing through a succession of vehicles in a chain-reaction collision that devastated everything in its path.
According to DCP Shekhawat, the truck “hit several vehicles and some pedestrians on the sidewalk,” with the reportedly empty dumper “believed to have caused damage over a 300-metre stretch”. In total, the vehicle crashed into 17 vehicles, including cars and two-wheelers, before finally overturning after hitting a divider.
Gruesome Scene of Devastation
The aftermath at Loha Mandi resembled a disaster site, with mangled cars, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, and debris scattered across the roadway in a horrifying tableau of destruction. The impact was so severe that many victims suffered grotesque injuries, with bodies brutally torn apart and several victims’ limbs severed at the accident spot. According to eyewitness accounts, “Some victims had their body parts brutally torn apart,” indicating the catastrophic force of the collisions.
जयपुर में यमराज बनकर सड़क पर उतरा डंपर!
— अभिषेक 'अजनबी' ✍🏻 (@abhishekAZNABI) November 3, 2025
60 से ज्यादा लोगों को रौंदा, 19 की हुई मौत
इस CCTV वीडियो को देखकर कांप जाएगी रूह#JaipurNews #Rajasthan #RoadAccident pic.twitter.com/0ADkFT7MNV
Innocent Victims in the Wrong Place
Among the tragic victims was Mahendra, a 38-year-old weaver from Bainad Road in Jaipur, and his 5-year-old niece Bhanu, who was visiting from their village in Sikar district. According to their relative Rakesh, “Varsha and Bhanu had come to Jaipur from their village in Sikar to celebrate Diwali with their uncle, and Mahendra was dropping them off at the bus stop when the accident occurred”. Tragically, while Mahendra and Bhanu were killed, Varsha, the 19-year-old niece, survived but was injured in the collision. Their visit to celebrate Diwali with family transformed into an unimaginable tragedy in moments.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization
Police and emergency rescue teams arrived quickly at the scene following the incident and initiated emergency response operations. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, with critically injured victims admitted to the trauma center of Sawai Man Singh Hospital. “Six critically injured victims have been admitted to the Sawai Man Singh Hospital Trauma Centre, where doctors and nursing staff are providing emergency care,” according to police reports.
CCTV Footage Documents Horror
Surveillance camera footage of the incident emerged, showing the dumper truck crushing pedestrians along the road. The video evidence captured the horrifying moment of impact and the vehicle’s uncontrolled path through the crowded area, providing crucial documentation of the disaster’s sequence of events.
Prime Minister Announces Compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating: “Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Rajasthan’s Jaipur. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon”. In response to the tragedy, Modi announced immediate financial assistance, declaring an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh (200,000 rupees) from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those deceased, and ₹50,000 (50,000 rupees) each for the injured.
Fourth Major Tragedy in 20 Days
This horrific incident marks the fourth major road accident in Rajasthan within a span of just 20 days, creating a sense of crisis within the state. The mounting death toll from these accidents has raised urgent questions about road safety, enforcement of traffic regulations, and the enforcement of drunk-driving laws. The earlier tragedies include:
- October 14: An AC bus burst into flames, killing 28 people
- October 29: A private sleeper coach caught fire after hitting a high-tension power line near Jaipur, killing 2 and injuring 10
- November 2: A tempo traveller rammed into a stationary truck near Phalodi in Jodhpur district, killing 15 and injuring 2
These four accidents have resulted in a combined death toll of 58 people within approximately three weeks.
Simultaneous Tragedy: Phalodi Tempo-Truck Collision
Even as rescue operations continued in Jaipur, Rajasthan was grappling with another devastating road accident that had occurred just the previous evening in Phalodi district. On Sunday evening, November 2, 2025, a tempo traveller carrying 15 pilgrims collided with a stationary trailer truck near Matoda village on the Bharatmala Highway, resulting in 15 deaths and 2 injuries.
Phalodi Pilgrimage Tragedy
The ill-fated tempo traveller was carrying pilgrims from the Mali community who belonged to the Soorsagar area of Jodhpur. These pilgrims had been on a religious pilgrimage to the Kolayat temple in Bikaner district, approximately 220 kilometers away. After completing their prayers at the Kapil Muni Ashram, they were returning to Jodhpur when disaster struck.
High-Speed Overtake Proves Fatal
According to Matoda Police Station Officer Amanaram, the tragedy unfolded when the speeding tempo traveller, traveling at excessive speed, attempted to overtake another truck on the highway. In the process, it collided violently with a stationary trailer truck that was parked in front of a roadside dhaba (eating establishment) at approximately 7 pm.
Victims Include Children and Women
The death toll of 15 included particularly vulnerable populations: four children and ten women were among the deceased. Phalodi district collector Shweta Chouhan confirmed the death toll on the spot, noting that in addition to the women and children, the tempo driver himself also perished in the collision. Two injured passengers survived the impact and were initially taken to Osian government hospital before being referred to a hospital in Jodhpur for advanced treatment due to the severity of their injuries.
Unsafe Parking Practices at Dhabas
Eyewitness Mahipal Saran identified a contributing factor to the accident, noting that trucks are frequently parked haphazardly along the Bharatmala Highway route due to the emergence of small roadside eateries (dhabas) in the area. The improper placement of the stationary trailer near a dhaba left it vulnerable to collisions, particularly from vehicles traveling at excessive speeds. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, but preliminary findings suggest excessive speed and the driver’s failure to maintain a safe distance from the parked vehicle.
Rescue Operations Amid Mangled Wreckage
The impact of the tempo-trailer collision was so severe that all passengers became trapped inside the completely mangled vehicle. According to police accounts, “All passengers were trapped inside the mangled vehicle, with many bodies trapped in the twisted metal and seats”. The force of the collision was so intense that people from nearby areas heard the impact and rushed to the scene to initiate rescue operations.
Matoda SHO Amanaram described the difficulty of rescue operations, stating: “The bodies were stuck in the seats due to the force of the collision. We faced great difficulty in removing them”. Emergency response teams, including police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local villagers, worked collaboratively to extract the injured and deceased from the wreckage. All recovered bodies have been placed in the mortuary of Osian government hospital pending identification and post-mortem examinations.
State Leadership Responds
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed his sorrow over both incidents and directed officials to provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families and ensure proper medical care for the injured. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also mourned the loss of lives, posting on social media: “I have just received the news that 15 people have died in a road accident in Matoda, Phalodi. Hearing this, my heart is extremely saddened. I pray to God to grant a place at His holy feet to all the deceased, give strength to their families, and a speedy recovery to the injured”.
Pattern of Negligence and System Failures
The occurrence of four major road accidents within three weeks in Rajasthan has exposed systemic failures in road safety infrastructure, enforcement mechanisms, and driver accountability. The Jaipur dumper truck incident particularly highlights the dangers of inadequate alcohol detection and enforcement at checkpoints. Despite the known dangers of drunk driving, Meena was able to operate a heavy commercial vehicle while intoxicated and was only apprehended after causing a catastrophic public disaster.
Traffic Management and Safety Concerns
The Phalodi incident reveals deficiencies in highway traffic management and the regulation of commercial vehicle parking practices. The haphazard placement of trailers near roadside eating establishments creates dangerous conditions for high-speed traffic and increases collision risks. Additionally, concerns about excessive speeding among tempo and truck drivers suggest inadequate enforcement of speed restrictions on national highways.
Broader Context: Rajasthan’s Road Safety Crisis
These incidents place Rajasthan at the center of India’s ongoing road safety crisis. The state has witnessed a disproportionate share of major road accidents, raising questions about traffic policing, vehicle maintenance standards, driver training and licensing procedures, and the enforcement of traffic laws. The cumulative death toll of 58 in three weeks represents a crisis-level situation demanding immediate governmental intervention.
Emergency Medical Response
The trauma centers in Jaipur, particularly at Sawai Man Singh Hospital, have been overwhelmed with critically injured patients requiring intensive care. Green corridors were activated to rapidly transport severely injured victims from Phalodi to Jodhpur hospitals, with ambulances receiving priority transit through traffic signals. The healthcare system’s capacity to handle multiple mass casualty incidents simultaneously has been tested and strained.
Calls for Systemic Reform
In the wake of these tragedies, residents and observers have called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, particularly regarding drunk driving, speeding, and reckless driving. Demands have intensified for improved road safety measures, including enhanced police checkpoints, stricter penalties for traffic violations, better highway signage, and systematic enforcement of vehicle safety standards.
The convergence of the Jaipur dumper truck rampage and the Phalodi tempo collision within 24 hours has exposed critical vulnerabilities in Rajasthan’s road safety apparatus and underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in traffic management, law enforcement, and public awareness campaigns.
