Delhi-Jaipur Expressway Blocked After Kanwariya Killed in Road Accident; Protesters Demand Compensation
A fatal road accident on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway claimed the life of a Kanwariya, and fellow devotees launched a massive protest on Wednesday. The protesters blocked the highway in search of justice and compensation for the bereaved family, disrupting traffic and drawing attention to the incident.
Details of the Accident
The fatal accident occurred on the night of Tuesday, July 30, when a truck collided with a motorcycle on the Rampura flyover of the expressway. 25-year-old Hemant Meena died. A resident of Kotputli in Rajasthan, Meena was participating in the Kanwar Yatra a pilgrimage undertaken by Hindu devotees who collect water from the Ganges River to offer it at Shiva temples.
Apart from Hemant, two other Kanwariyas were seriously injured in the collision and were rushed to the nearby medical facilities within minutes for treatment. The local police said the driver of the truck escaped the scene immediately after the accident, but has now been detained.
Protests Erupt on the Expressway
The tragic death of Hemant enraged a huge crowd of Kanwariyas, who gathered on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway and blocked it in protest against this incident. Several demands were also placed before the administration by the protesters, including assurance of compensation of Rs 50 lakh and a government job to Hemant’s family. The protest continued for about two hours, and the highway was blocked, thereby much traffic disruption between Delhi and Jaipur-bound vehicles.
Effects on the Traffic
The blockading of the expressway resulted in huge jams, leading to delays and compelling the authorities to take immediate remedial action. Keeping the situation in view, the traffic going towards Jaipur from Rajiv Chowk in Gurugram was diverted. Similarly, vehicles coming from Jaipur to Delhi were diverted from the Kundali-Manesar-Palwal Expressway and its surroundings. The diversion of traffic was to decongest the road and to restore it back to normalcy.
Police Response and Resolution
Exasperated local police intervened to diffuse the situation. Upon talking to the protesting Kanwariyas, the authorities were able to negotiate a resolution and the roadblock was lifted. The police assured protesters that their demands would be taken seriously and probe into the accident would be proper.
Arrest of the Truck Driver
A manhunt for the truck driver responsible for the accident was mounted by the police barely some minutes after the accident. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the driver fled the scene and was later arrested by police. The driver could thus face the full wrath of the law with inclusion of charges such as culpable homicide and reckless driving.
Outrage among People and Demands
Hemant Meena’s death has now raged a storm of anger in the Kanwariya community combined with local people too. People have been lashing out with anger at the lack of security measures on the expressway, citing the same as an immediate need for better traffic regulations, improved signage, and enhanced safety measures for vulnerable road users, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons.
Improved Security Measures Sought
The incident has raised demands from the government and local authorities to be more stringent on safety measures along major highways, especially during the Kanwar Yatra when a large number of devotees are on roads. The steps, which the road safety advocates are demanding, are as follows:
1. Visible police presence along highways, particularly during peak travel seasons.
2. Spread awareness on safe driving while passing through areas where pilgrims visit.
Improvement in Road Infrastructure: This means qualitative lighting and signals that can assure the safety of every user.
Final Thoughts
Despite the death of Hemant Meena, a street vendor from Alwar, in a road accident on Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, many people have come out to register strong protests and demand justice and compensation to his family.
The community was in shock as the authorities investigate the accident and work toward the restoration of normalcy on the highway. Clearly, this brought a call for increased safety measures on busy highways, especially during religious pilgrimages, to avert possible accidents and save lives.
That in itself is the crux of the sustained debates between the Kanwariya community, local authorities, and the government: meeting compensation demands and ensuring such incidents do not recur in times to come.
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