Jaipur Highway Blast: A horrific accident on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway took 14 lives and left 23 injured as an LPG tanker collided with a truck and exploded in huge flames. The driver of the tanker, Jaiveer from Mathura, reportedly escaped unhurt. According to reports, he had jumped from the vehicle after the accident and ran towards Jaipur, barely escaping the inferno.
Jaiveer contacted the tanker owner immediately following the mishap and received a call from authorities to present for interrogation before authorities in Jaipur. Officials are hopeful that Jaiveer can provide clear evidence of the series of unfortunate accidents.
How Did the Incident Happen?
It was at 5:30 a.m. that the tanker, which attempted a U-turn at a temporary cut on the highway brought into service to manage traffic amidst the construction work, was rammed by a truck carrying bedsheets. Its safety valves and nozzles burst. The leakage ignited gas and a blast that trapped the vehicles inside with the victims having no chance of escaping.
Experts have criticized the condition of the highway, citing improper traffic management, poor lighting, and a narrow intersection as contributing factors. According to road safety advocate George Cheriyan, this stretch is naturally hazardous.
Dr. Prerna Arora Singh also said that the intersection does not have radium markers or signals, and it is not wide enough to carry large vehicles like tankers. The low visibility due to winter conditions added to the risks.
Ongoing Investigation for Jaipur Highway Blast as Driver Survives
The investigators are reviewing the fitness certificates of the tanker and the structural strength of its valves and nozzles. Though modern tankers are shock-proof, officials claim the safety mechanism failed this time.
The authorities also raise questions about the driver training and adherence to the emergency protocol. While Jaiveer ran away in this case, probably fearing a massive explosion, officials believe it is essential to gather facts rather than jumping to conclusions about blame.
This tragedy underlines the need for better road safety measures, infrastructure, and investigations to avoid such tragedies in the future.
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