3 women killed in Jaipur-Bandikui Expressway hit-and-run; ₹17 lakh aid agreed
Synopsis
Three women clearing roadside weeds were mowed down by a speeding car on the Jaipur-Bandikui Expressway, sparking a three-hour traffic jam and a tense standoff between villagers and the BJP Rajasthan chief — ending only after the administration agreed to pay ₹17 lakh each to the victims' families.
Key Takeaways
Three women — Prem Devi Balai, 55 , Manphuli Devi Meena, 60 , and Kaushalya Balai — were killed in a hit-and-run on the Jaipur-Bandikui Expressway on Sunday, 24 August .
The speeding car struck the women near pillar 48.2 around 3:30 pm IST ; the driver fled the scene.
The accident caused a three-hour traffic standstill with queues of approximately 20 kilometres on both sides.
Villagers surrounded BJP Rajasthan president Madan Rathore , who was caught in the jam, and demanded ₹20 lakh per family.
The administration agreed to pay ₹17 lakh to each family, along with a contractual job and a dairy booth per household.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over safety of workers engaged in roadside vegetation clearance on expressways.
Three women clearing roadside vegetation were killed in a hit-and-run accident on the Jaipur-Bandikui Expressway near Booj village in Jaipur's Jamwaramgarh area on Sunday, 24 August, after a speeding car struck them around 3:30 pm IST. The crash triggered a nearly three-hour traffic standstill, with queues stretching roughly 20 kilometres on both sides of the expressway.
What Happened at the Scene
The vehicle, travelling from the Bandikui direction, hit the three women near pillar number 48.2 while they were clearing weeds along the expressway. Prem Devi Balai, 55, and Manphuli Devi Meena, 60, both residents of Khedawas, died on the spot. The third victim, Kaushalya Balai of Nevar village, succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The driver fled the scene. Police teams from Jamwaramgarh, Kanota, and Andhi police stations were deployed to manage the situation.
Traffic Chaos and Political Flashpoint
Thousands of commuters were stranded as the accident brought traffic to a halt. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajasthan state president Madan Rathore and former MLA Gyandev Ahuja, travelling from Delhi to Jaipur, were caught in the gridlock. Rathore alerted senior officials, prompting police deployment. However, a large crowd of villagers gathered and reportedly surrounded the BJP state president, demanding compensation of ₹20 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
Compensation Agreement Reached
Following discussions between the district administration and the villagers, an agreement was reached to provide ₹17 lakh in financial assistance to the next of kin of each of the three women. The package also includes a contractual job for one member of each affected family, as well as the allotment of one dairy booth per family. The administration cited the difficult economic circumstances of the bereaved families in justifying the support measures.
Opposition Condoles Deaths
Rajasthan Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully on Monday described the incident as 'deeply tragic and distressing' and extended condolences to the bereaved families. In a condolence message, Jully offered prayers for the departed souls and expressed hope that the grieving families would find strength to cope with their loss.
Worker Safety Under Scrutiny
The accident has renewed concerns over the safety of labourers engaged in vegetation clearance along high-speed expressways. This is not an isolated incident — workers clearing roadsides on national and state highways have faced fatal risks due to inadequate safety protocols and the absence of traffic management during maintenance operations. Authorities have not yet announced any review of safety norms for such workers.
Point of View
Extracted under public pressure during a traffic jam, underscores a systemic failure: roadside maintenance workers on high-speed corridors operate without visible safety barriers, traffic wardens, or mandatory slow-down zones. That it took three deaths and a political confrontation to trigger any administrative response is telling. The compensation is welcome relief for grieving families, but it sidesteps the structural question — why are labourers clearing vegetation on an active expressway without adequate protection? Until safety protocols are codified and enforced for highway maintenance crews, the next fatality is a matter of when, not if.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on the Jaipur-Bandikui Expressway on 24 August?
A speeding car struck three women who were clearing weeds along the expressway near Booj village in Jaipur's Jamwaramgarh area around 3:30 pm on Sunday, 24 August. Two died on the spot and the third succumbed during treatment; the driver fled.
Who were the victims of the Jaipur expressway accident?
The three victims were Prem Devi Balai, 55, and Manphuli Devi Meena, 60, both from Khedawas, and Kaushalya Balai of Nevar village. All three were engaged in clearing roadside vegetation along the expressway at the time of the accident.
What compensation will the families receive?
Following discussions between the district administration and villagers, each of the three families will receive ₹17 lakh in financial assistance, a contractual job for one family member, and one dairy booth allotment.
How did the accident affect traffic on the expressway?
The crash brought traffic on the Jaipur-Bandikui Expressway to a standstill for nearly three hours, with vehicle queues extending approximately 20 kilometres on both sides, stranding thousands of commuters.
What has the incident revealed about worker safety on expressways?
The accident has raised serious concerns about the safety of labourers engaged in roadside vegetation clearance on high-speed corridors. Critics argue that the absence of traffic management measures and protective barriers during maintenance work puts such workers at grave risk.
