Telangana road accident leaves 20 dead, hours after Rajasthan tragedy kills 15; PM Modi announces ex-gratia
Telangana: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar confirmed 20 people were killed in a road accident, hours after a Rajasthan tragedy killed 15 on Sunday. The incident occurred early on Monday morning. The passengers of the bus were pulled out, an official informed.
A horrifying tragedy took place in Telangana when a tipper lorry carrying gravel hit head-on with a public transport bus in Rangareddy district on Monday. PM Narendra Modi announced ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the kin of the deceased.
It claimed the lives of 20 people, critically injured three others, while 20 are undergoing treatment in the hospital, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar confirmed to ANI.
The incident comes after 15 people were killed and two others were injured after a tempo-traveller coming from Kolayat, Bikaner in Rajasthan rammed into a parked trailer on the Bharat Mala Highway in Phalodi on Sunday.
The tipper collided with a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) vehicle near Chevella, causing gravel to fall onto the bus. The passengers of the bus were pulled out, an official informed PTI.
"A road accident occurred between a TGSRTC bus and a truck near Khanapur Gate, under the Chevella police station limits in Rangareddy district. Several passengers are injured, and more details are yet to be known. This incident happened early this morning. We reached the spot, and more details will be provided later," ANI quoted the Chevella police as saying.
PM Modi announces ex gratia for deceased’s families
“The loss of lives due to a mishap in the Rangareddy district of Telangana is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
Telangana's Minister of Transport Ponnam Prabhakar reacts
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed profound shock and sorrow over the serious road accident in Telangana. According to an official statement, he contacted TGSRTC MD Nagi Reddy and the Rangareddy District Collector by phone, urging them to ensure proper medical care for the injured. The minister also instructed TGSRTC officials to proceed to the accident site without delay.
“My sincere condolences to the families of bereaved and I pray to God for the immediate recovery of the injured,” Amarnath Sarangula, BJP Telangana spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Telangana MLA Kale Yadaiah on Monday blamed the accident near Chevella on the narrowness of the road.
While speaking to reporters, Yadaiah, the Chevella legislator, explained that although road widening had been approved five years ago, the work was delayed because some people had approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with concerns.
According to PTI, he said, “It is true that it is a narrow road. The road from Bijapur to Maneguda is always busy with vehicles. The road was sanctioned five years ago. However, some people moved the NGT. So, road works could not be taken up owing to which accidents are frequently occurring. We were able to convince those who approached the NGT to withdraw cases. So work also started two days back.”
Rajasthan road accident
In the aftermath of the road accident in Rajasthan, a green corridor was being established to quickly transport the injured to a facility where they can receive proper medical treatment. "The administration is focused on saving the lives of those injured and will release further details as more information becomes available..." ANI quoted Police Commissioner Om Prakash Paswan as saying.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma conveyed his grief over the fatalities in the road accident, describing it as "extremely tragic and heart-rending," and instructed district officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. In a post on X, Bhajanlal Sharma wrote, "The loss of lives in the road accident in the Matoda area of Phalodi is extremely tragic and heart-rending. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
He added, “Instructions have been given to the district administration officials to ensure proper treatment for all the injured. I pray to the Lord to grant peace to the departed souls and provide speedy recovery to the injured.”
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot also expressed deep sorrow over the deaths in Phalodi, praying for peace for the departed souls and strength for their families.