3 pilgrims killed as truck crosses divider on NH-63 in Karnataka's Koppal
Synopsis
Three pilgrims from the same Haveri family never reached Mantralayam — an Ashok Leyland truck crossed the NH-63 divider near Koppal and killed them on the spot. With two survivors still critical, the toll could climb, and the crash has renewed questions about divider safety on Karnataka's busy interior highways.
Key Takeaways
Three pilgrims — Kenchamma Balekayi (35) , Amruta Kotyal (25) , and Ramesh Ballari (45) — were killed on 27 June 2025 on NH-63 in Koppal district, Karnataka .
An Ashok Leyland truck crossed the central divider and struck their Omni van head-on near Bhanapura , close to Kukanoor town .
Two survivors — Praveen Balikayi (40) and Chinmay — remain in critical condition; four others sustained serious injuries.
All injured have been admitted to Koppal District Hospital ; a case has been registered at Kukanoor Police Station .
BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai urged the Karnataka government to announce compensation and ensure quality treatment for the injured.
Three members of a family from Haveri district were killed on 27 June 2025 after a truck crossed the central divider and collided head-on with their car on National Highway-63 near Bhanapura, close to Kukanoor town in Koppal district, Karnataka. The group was travelling to the pilgrimage town of Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh when the crash occurred. Two survivors remain in critical condition, and authorities have warned the death toll may rise.
What Happened
The victims were travelling in an Omni van when an Ashok Leyland truck moving on the opposite carriageway jumped the divider and struck their vehicle, according to preliminary police findings. The impact was severe enough to kill three occupants on the spot and leave four others with serious injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Kenchamma Balekayi (35), Amruta Kotyal (25), and Ramesh Ballari (45), all residents of Kabbar village in Haveri district. Two others — Praveen Balikayi (40) and a person identified as Chinmay — are reportedly in critical condition at Koppal District Hospital, where all injured occupants have been admitted.
Investigation Under Way
Police officials visited the accident site and carried out an inspection. A case has been registered at Kukanoor Police Station, and further investigation is ongoing. The exact cause of the truck crossing the divider has not yet been established by investigators.
Political Response
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Haveri, Basavaraj Bommai, expressed grief over the accident. In a statement, Bommai said the news of the crash — which claimed the lives of three people from Rattihalli taluk of Haveri district — was 'extremely distressing.'
'I pray that the departed souls attain eternal peace. May God give strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense loss. I also wish all those injured a speedy recovery,' Bommai said.
Bommai urged the Karnataka government to immediately announce adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care and all necessary assistance.
Broader Road Safety Context
The crash on NH-63 is the latest in a series of fatal highway accidents in Karnataka involving heavy vehicles crossing dividers — a recurring pattern on national highways that pass through the state's interior districts. Koppal district, situated along a busy freight corridor, has seen multiple such incidents in recent years. Road safety advocates have repeatedly called for improved divider infrastructure and stricter enforcement of commercial vehicle regulations on such stretches.
Point of View
A passenger vehicle with no chance to react, and a community left grieving. The political response — condolences and compensation calls — is reflexive, but the harder question is enforcement. Divider-jumping by trucks on NH-63 and similar corridors points to fatigued drivers and inadequate physical barriers, not isolated bad luck. Until road safety agencies treat these crashes as systemic failures rather than tragedies, the toll will keep climbing.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Koppal road accident on 27 June 2025?
Three pilgrims travelling to Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh were killed after an Ashok Leyland truck crossed the central divider on NH-63 near Bhanapura in Koppal district, Karnataka, and struck their Omni van head-on. Two other occupants are in critical condition.
Who are the victims of the Koppal NH-63 accident?
The deceased have been identified as Kenchamma Balekayi (35), Amruta Kotyal (25), and Ramesh Ballari (45), all residents of Kabbar village in Haveri district. Two survivors — Praveen Balikayi (40) and a person named Chinmay — remain critically injured.
Where are the injured being treated?
All injured occupants of the Omni van have been admitted to Koppal District Hospital for treatment. Their condition is being monitored, and authorities say the death toll could rise.
Has a case been registered in the Koppal accident?
Yes, a case has been registered at Kukanoor Police Station. Police visited the accident site, conducted an inspection, and further investigation is under way to determine the exact cause of the truck crossing the divider.
What did Basavaraj Bommai say about the accident?
BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed deep sorrow and called the news 'extremely distressing.' He urged the Karnataka government to announce adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
