What Happened in the Phalodi Road Accident? Minister Madan Dilawar Announces Rs 10 Lakh Compensation for Victims’ Families
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Jaipur, Nov 3 (NationPress) Jodhpur's Minister-in-Charge Madan Dilawar announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each family affected by the devastating road accident that resulted in the deaths of at least 15 passengers. The victims were returning from a pilgrimage to Kolayat in Bikaner when this tragic event occurred on the Bharatmala Expressway near Phalodi late Sunday night.
Describing the incident as “deeply tragic and unfortunate”, Dilawar confirmed that families who lost three or more members would receive Rs 25 lakh. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that those seriously injured would be compensated with Rs 2 lakh each, while those with minor injuries would receive Rs 1 lakh.
The accident transpired when a tempo traveler carrying devotees heading to Ramdevra collided with a stationary trailer on the expressway at high speed. The collision severely damaged the vehicle, leading to critical injuries among many passengers, who were promptly taken to local hospitals.
Dilawar expressed profound sorrow over the fatalities and pledged a comprehensive investigation into the incident. He acknowledged that while some families are requesting additional compensation, he stated, “It is not feasible to meet every demand, but all reasonable requests will certainly be evaluated.”
He pointed out that the compensation offered aligns with that provided after the recent Jaisalmer bus accident.
This tragedy has reignited concerns regarding road safety on the Bharatmala Expressway. Locals claim that inadequate lighting, insufficient signage, and illegal parking of heavy vehicles contribute to hazardous night travel conditions. Residents report that truck drivers frequently stop along the expressway to rest, resulting in recurrent fatal accidents.
“In most incidents on the Bharatmala Expressway, driver negligence is evident. If a vehicle collides with a stationary trailer, it signifies carelessness,” said Dilawar. He emphasized that investigators would also look into why the trailer was parked in a no-parking area and whether adequate lighting was in place.
Eyewitnesses recounted a horrific scene, with bodies scattered across the roadway as emergency teams worked tirelessly through the night amidst chaos and sirens.