Hajipur/Lal Ganj (Mohammad Asif Ata): A horrific road accident occurred in Vaishali district, spreading panic throughout the area. On Hajipur-Lal Ganj Main Road (SH-74), near the village of Kanchnpur Dhanushi in the Karthaha police station area, a high-speed bus and auto collided, killing three people on the spot and injuring over a dozen, with seven in critical condition.

Eyewitnesses reported that the collision was so severe that the auto was completely destroyed, with its parts scattered far and wide. The cries of the injured in the auto sparked chaos, and locals rushed to the scene to help pull out the injured. All the injured were later taken to the hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, the auto was traveling from Hajipur to Lal Ganj, while the bus was heading from Lal Ganj to Hajipur. The two vehicles collided head-on near Kanchnpur Dhanushi, with the impact so severe that the passengers in the auto had no chance to react.

The accident sparked outrage among the locals, who blocked the Hajipur-Lal Ganj Main Road and chanted slogans against the administration. Key demands included immediate compensation for the families of the deceased, better treatment for the injured, increased police patrols at the accident site, and action against speeding buses and overloaded autos.

Traffic came to a standstill on both sides of the road. The administration intervened, with Lal Ganj SDPO Goyal Mandal arriving at the scene with a police team and attempting to persuade the crowd to clear the road. The SDPO stated, "Near Kanchnpur Dhanushi in the Karthaha police station area, a bus and tempo collided, killing one person on the spot and injuring eight to nine others, who have been taken to the Sadar Hospital for treatment. An investigation into the matter is underway."

Later, two more injured succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, bringing the death toll to three. The identities of two of the deceased have been confirmed: Mohammad Dil Sher Wala and Mohammad Shafiq, a resident of Shyama Chak village, Qazi Pur police station. The identity of the third deceased is still being ascertained.

The injured include Ranjan Kumar (son of Baid Ram), Lal Ganj, Soni Kumar (son of Ravi Aishwar Ram), Lal Ganj, and Mohammad Tanveer Hussein. Other injured individuals are being identified. All the injured were taken to the Sadar Hospital in Hajipur, where seven are in critical condition and have been admitted to the ICU. Some may be referred to Patna for further treatment.

Local residents attributed the increasing number of accidents on this route to several factors, including overspeeding buses, overloaded autos, lack of police patrols, and unregulated turns. They claimed that administrative negligence is a major cause of accidents.

The investigation into the causes of the accident is ongoing, with preliminary possible causes including overspeeding, wrong overtaking, and driver negligence. The actual causes will be determined through forensic investigation and technical analysis.

The administration has taken action, seizing both the bus and auto, and gathering details about the drivers and owners. The process of providing compensation to the families of the deceased has begun, in accordance with government regulations.

This road has previously been prone to accidents, with locals reporting 4-5 accidents per month. Possible measures to be taken by the administration include increased police patrols, speed monitoring of buses, strict action against overloaded autos, installation of road signs and speed limit boards, repair of blind turns, and consideration of widening the road.

The accident highlights the lack of road safety, vehicle negligence, and administrative complacency, which together are claiming the lives of ordinary citizens. The Vaishali district is currently in mourning following this tragic accident, and people are praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.