A tragic bus accident occurred early Sunday morning when a private luxury bus carrying pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh fell off the road and plunged 35 feet down a gorge near the Saputara hill station, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuring 35 others.
The incident took place at approximately 4:15 AM, shortly after the bus departed from Saputara following a brief tea break. Around 48 passengers were aboard the bus, which was on its way to Dwarka, Gujarat, after visiting several religious sites, including Trimbakeshwar and Shirdi.
According to Superintendent of Police SG Patil, "Five persons died on the spot and 17 others suffered serious injuries and have been rushed to a civil hospital at Ahwa." The victims included the bus driver, Ratan Lal Jatav, and four passengers, Bholaram Kushwaha, Guddi Yadav, Kamlesh Yadav, and Bijendra Yadav, all hailing from Shivpuri district.
Witnesses indicated the driver lost control of the vehicle, breaching the crash barrier before the bus fell. A complaint lodged by fellow traveller Brijesh Bhargav stated, “The driver lost control over the steering,” highlighting concerns of negligence.
Rescue operations were swift, led by local residents and police. The local population, including Tanmayben, the sarpanch of Malegaon village, played a key role: "We have 20 youths always ready for rescue operations." These local efforts helped to evacuate several injured passengers before official rescue teams arrived.
BJP MLA Vijay Patel remarked, "We have been making requests to widen the roads and make changes... to prevent such regular accidents.” He emphasized the need for immediate measures to address the dangerous road conditions, as many residents lamented the frequency of such tragedies.
The pilgrims had embarked on their religious tour on December 23 and were reported to have visited several sacred sites across India prior to the incident. Observations from local authorities suggest this stretch of road is infamous for accidents, particularly involving heavy-loaded vehicles.
A particularly shocking statement came from resident Devram Thackrey, who mentioned, “Every week, two accidents occur, and mostly, heavy-loaded vehicles overturn...” reinforcing the urgent need for improvements to road infrastructure.
The situation prompted Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to extend condolences on social media, announcing compensation measures: Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those critically injured, and Rs 50,000 for other injured passengers.
This incident raises serious questions about road safety regulations and enforcement, especially for commercial vehicles. Discussions across local communities indicate widespread fear as drivers frequently navigate sharply curved roads under challenging conditions, placing drivers and passengers at risk.
With the government called to act, this tragic accident serves as both mournful news and a stark reminder of the unresolved safety issues facing highways across the region. Calls for accountability and immediate action resonate strongly among grieving families and concerned citizens alike.