Siliguri road accident: Two killed in bike-scooter collision at Jhongkar crossing
Synopsis
Two young men lost their lives and one remains critically injured after a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a scooter on the old bridge at Jhongkar crossing in Siliguri — the first major fatal road accident of the Durga Puja festival season in the city, striking on the auspicious morning of Ashtami.
Key Takeaways
Arijit Pramanik (Goyerkata) and Shankar Singh , aged 17 (Ward No.
3, Siliguri Municipal Corporation), died on the spot in the collision on 19 October 2025 .
The accident occurred on the old bridge at Jhongkar crossing , Siliguri , north Bengal, during the early morning of Ashtami .
A third person — Shankar's pillion rider — is critically injured and admitted to a private hospital ICU in Matigara .
Police from Khalpara outpost recovered the bodies and sent them to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for autopsy.
Initial police assessment points to excessive speed as the likely cause; a detailed investigation is underway.
This is the first major fatal accident in Siliguri during the ongoing Durga Puja festivities.
Two young men, Arijit Pramanik and Shankar Singh, died on the spot after a high-speed head-on collision between a motorcycle and a scooter on the old bridge at Jhongkar crossing in Siliguri, north Bengal, on Monday, 19 October 2025. A third person, Shankar's friend who was riding pillion on the scooter, sustained critical injuries and is currently fighting for his life in the ICU of a private hospital in Matigara.
How the Accident Unfolded
Arijit Pramanik, a resident of Goyerkata, had come to Siliguri to visit a relative during the Durga Puja celebrations. He was riding his motorcycle towards Jhongkar crossing from the direction of Air View crossing. Coming from the opposite direction was Shankar Singh, a 17-year-old resident of Ward No. 3 of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, riding a scooter along with a friend. The speed of both vehicles on the old bridge was so high that a collision was unavoidable, according to initial police assessment. Both vehicles were severely mangled in the impact.
Police Response and Investigation
Officers from the Khalpara outpost reached the scene shortly after receiving the distress call. They recovered the bodies of the two deceased and first transported them to Siliguri District Hospital, before transferring them to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination. Shankar's critically injured friend was rushed to a private hospital in Matigara, where his condition remains very serious. Police have launched a detailed investigation to determine whether excessive speed was the sole cause, or whether other factors contributed to the tragedy.
The Festive Shadow
The tragedy struck on the morning of Ashtami, one of the most auspicious days of the Durga Puja festival, casting a pall of grief over the city. This is reported to be the first major fatal road accident in Siliguri during the ongoing Durga Puja festivities. Families of both victims and residents of the area expressed shock at the loss of two young lives during what is typically a celebratory period.
Road Safety Concerns
The accident at Jhongkar crossing renews questions about speed enforcement on Siliguri's older arterial bridges, particularly during festival seasons when traffic patterns change and roads can be unusually empty in the early morning hours. This is not an isolated concern — festive periods have historically seen a spike in road fatalities in north Bengal due to high speeds on otherwise deserted stretches. Authorities are yet to announce any immediate measures in response to this incident.
As investigations continue, all eyes will remain on the condition of the injured survivor in the Matigara ICU.
Point of View
But it is also predictable. Festive mornings combine deserted roads with high-speed riders — a combination that has repeatedly proved fatal on Siliguri's older bridge stretches. The broader question is one of enforcement: are traffic checks scaled up during Durga Puja, when early-morning revellers are known to ride fast on empty roads? The loss of a 17-year-old points to the additional dimension of underage riding, which police have yet to address in their public statement. Until road safety measures are calibrated to festive risk windows rather than average traffic conditions, incidents like this will continue to mark what should be days of celebration.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Jhongkar crossing in Siliguri on 19 October?
Two young men — Arijit Pramanik and Shankar Singh — died after a high-speed head-on collision between a motorcycle and a scooter on the old bridge at Jhongkar crossing in Siliguri on 19 October 2025. A third person on the scooter is critically injured and hospitalised.
Who were the victims of the Siliguri road accident?
The deceased are Arijit Pramanik, a resident of Goyerkata who had come to Siliguri for Durga Puja, and Shankar Singh, a 17-year-old resident of Ward No. 3 under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation. A friend of Shankar's survived but remains in critical condition.
What is the current condition of the injured survivor?
Shankar Singh's friend, who was riding pillion on the scooter, sustained critical injuries and is admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in Matigara. His condition is described as very serious.
What is the police saying about the cause of the accident?
Police from the Khalpara outpost are investigating the incident. Their initial assessment is that both vehicles were travelling at excessive speed on the early morning empty road, making the collision unavoidable. A detailed probe is underway to rule out other contributing factors.
Why is this accident significant during Durga Puja?
It is reported to be the first major fatal road accident in Siliguri during the ongoing Durga Puja festival season, occurring on the auspicious morning of Ashtami. The incident has cast grief over the festive atmosphere and renewed concerns about road safety enforcement during festival periods.
