Hit-and-Run Kills Three Women, Snarls Expressway Traffic
A hit-and-run on the Jaipur-Bandikui Expressway near Booj village in the Jamwaramgarh area has left three women dead and triggered a traffic standstill that stretched for hours. As reported by Lokmat Times, the accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday near pillar number 48.2, when a speeding car travelling from the Bandikui direction struck the women who were clearing weeds along the expressway. The impact killed two of them on the spot, while a third succumbed to injuries during treatment.
According to Hindustan Times, police rushed the three victims to a hospital, where two were declared dead. A Rajasthan Police officer, Rajendra Kumar, identified them as Prem Devi, 55, Manfuli Devi, 50, and Kaushalya Devi, 45. Lokmat Times, on the other hand, gives a slightly different set of identities, naming them as Prem Devi Balai, 55, and Manphuli Devi Meena, 60, residents of Khedawas, and Kaushalya Balai of Nevar village. The two reports agree on the number of victims and the broad circumstances, but diverge on the victims' ages and surnames.
Hindustan Times adds an additional layer of detail, noting that the three were part of a five-woman group mowing grass. Two were working inside the median railing, while the three were outside when the speeding car hit them. This detail was not present in the Lokmat Times account.
Massive Traffic Jam and Political Figures Trapped
The accident brought traffic on the expressway to a standstill for nearly three hours, with queues extending about 20 kilometres on both sides, as reported by Lokmat Times. Thousands of commuters were stranded, facing severe inconvenience.
BJP Rajasthan state president Madan Rathore and former MLA Gangeev Ahuja, who were travelling from Delhi to Jaipur, were caught in the jam. Hindustan Times reports that Rathore spoke to top officials, following which police teams were rushed to pacify the protesters. Lokmat Times says that Rathore informed senior officials, and police teams from Jamwaramgarh, Kanota and Andhi police stations reached the spot. Both accounts describe the police attempting to facilitate Rathore's movement, but a large crowd of villagers surrounded him.
The protesters demanded compensation of ₹20 lakh each for the families of the three victims. The blockade was lifted after the administration announced compensation of ₹17 lakh each, along with a contractual job for one member of each family and dairy booths for the three families. Lokmat Times also mentions that the agreement included a contractual job for one family from each family and one dairy booth per family.
Police reported they were searching for the driver of the vehicle, as per Hindustan Times.
Condolences from Rajasthan LoP
Lokmat Times reports that Rajasthan's Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jayly expressed condolences on Monday, describing the incident as "deeply tragic and distressing" and "heartbreaking." In a condolence message, he offered prayers for peace to the departed souls and strength to the families.
Safety Concerns and Official Response
The incident has also raised concerns over the safety of workers clearing vegetation along the expressway, as noted by Lokmat Times. The protests and the eventual compensation package highlight broader issues about accountability and support for families of those affected by such accidents.
Both Hindustan Times and Lokmat Times have covered the story, with differing emphasis: Hindustan Times focuses on the police response and the traffic mayhem, while Lokmat Times leads with the LoP's condolences. The compensation details and the demand for ₹20 lakh are consistent across both outlets.