Zirakpur, May 8
In a heart-wrenching incident this morning, tragedy struck on the Ambala-Chandigarh national highway near the Singhpura chowk, as a Class VII student lost her life in a horrifying accident. Ananya (12), a student of Manav Mangal Smart World School, Zirakpur, was crushed under the wheels of a truck while riding pillion on a scooty with her mother Pushpa.
Eyewitnesses recounted the grim scene, highlighting the neglect that may have contributed to the fatal accident. According to passers-by, the road’s uneven patch strewn with gravel, left unmetalled amidst ongoing construction work by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), proved fatal for the mother-daughter duo. Shockingly, despite the cries of the injured mother beside her daughter’s lifeless body, help arrived agonizingly late.
The apathy of NHAI officials and local administration drew severe criticism from residents, who accused them of disregarding safety concerns at the construction site. Harman Sidhu of ArriveSAFE, a road safety NGO, emphasized the legal implications, urging authorities to be held accountable under Section 198 A of the Motor Vehicle Act (Amended) 2019.
Further adding to the distressing circumstances, the truck driver attempted to flee but was apprehended by a vigilant passer-by. While a case of negligent driving has been filed against him, questions loom over the delayed response of law enforcement and emergency services.
Residents lamented the perpetual construction of vehicular underpasses, condemning the chaotic work and persistent traffic snarls. The absence of caution boards and signage near the accident-prone zone compounds safety concerns, with iron spikes from road drainage posing additional hazards.
As the community mourns the tragic loss of young Ananya, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures and responsible oversight on our roads.
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