Tragedy on Jaipur-Ajmer Highway: A U-turn That Should Have Been Closed

Jaipur, Dec 22 (NationPress) A catastrophic incident occurred on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway on December 20, resulting in the death of 13 individuals. This tragedy can be traced back to a sharp U-turn positioned near Delhi Public School (DPS), a site notorious for its history of fatal accidents. Authorities have indicated that this U-turn was not meant to be operational; it was approved only as a temporary measure to manage traffic during ongoing construction activities.

This U-turn was slated for closure by March 2023, under a broader initiative to construct a cloverleaf interchange, but progress on this project has been delayed, leaving the U-turn open. Established in November 2020, it was designed to enhance traffic movement from the newly developed Ring Road. However, with the cloverleaf interchange incomplete, the U-turn remains active, causing congestion from both directions and often resulting in traffic jams.

Navneet Jhalani, co-convenor of Bagru Udhyog Mitra, remarked, "The groundwork for Friday's tragic event was established six years prior when the ring road project was hastily executed to bypass election regulations. The cloverleaf interchange that was meant to be built is still pending." He also mentioned that several memoranda were sent to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to address the ongoing issues.

If the accident had taken place just an hour later, the repercussions could have been significantly worse, particularly for the students of DPS and other nearby educational institutions, whose buses traverse this section. Additionally, office workers from the adjacent SEZ would have been in peril. "The outcome could have been catastrophic had it occurred a bit later," stated Pawan Bairagi, a government official whose children are students at DPS.

The U-turn is merely one of several hazardous cuts along this highway. According to NHAI regulations, U-turns should be situated every 2 km; however, this stretch is riddled with numerous short-distance cuts, resembling more of a street than a national highway.

There are, surprisingly, around 12 cuts on the service lane between Jaipur and Ajmer, with an additional 15 cuts on the opposite stretch. Furthermore, many sections of the railing along the service road are damaged, with people frequently seen leaping over them. Daily traffic jams extending for kilometers are a common sight, yet there is a noticeable absence of traffic police to alleviate the situation, even though this road serves as a vital route for travelers heading to Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, and other significant destinations.

The Jaipur-Ajmer Expressway, which witnessed a horrific blaze resulting in over a dozen fatalities due to burn injuries, has evolved into a hotspot for accidents in the past year. In July 2023, the local administration had a conflict with NHAI regarding the ongoing flyover construction, which had led to massive traffic jams. Despite NHAI's promises to expedite the work, over a year later, it remains unfinished, further complicating traffic issues.

Despite the multitude of complaints about traffic congestion, including those exacerbated by rain, construction proceeds at a sluggish pace. With 13 livessuo motu cognizance of the incident, issuing notices to the Chief Secretary and the Union government, inquiring about measures to hold authorities accountable and investigate any negligence.

The court has mandated an investigation into the fire incident, emphasizing the need to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The Supreme Court’s Committee on Road Safety has also instructed the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan to present a comprehensive report by January 20, while a high-level committee will examine all facets of the incident, including the road's construction.

Meanwhile, discussions regarding the perilous U-turn near DPS persist. The NHAI has defended its decision, asserting that the U-turn was sanctioned by a committee comprising officials from the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), NHAI, and traffic police. NHAI claims that the cut, intended to be 30 meters wide, was equipped with traffic lights, road markings, and signboards. Nonetheless, this tragic event has once again underscored the necessity for improved safety measures.

In response to the incident, NHAI has called for stricter safety protocols at crucial junctions, which include round-the-clock traffic police deployment, better safeguarding of flammable materials, mandatory vehicle inspections, and public awareness campaigns regarding road safety.

Bus driver Kailash Gurjar, who transports students along this road daily, expressed his frustration, stating, "It may appear to be the driver's fault, but the real issue lies with the officials who disregard the daily challenges faced by commuters. Extended jams, individuals jumping over railings, and accidents are commonplace. The administration must act before more lives are lost." Gurjar, who tragically lost his brother in a previous accident on the same road, hopes for measures to avert further tragedies.

Despite the fatalities and widespread objections, the U-turn continues to operate, and vehicles persist in navigating it.