Tragic Accident on Samruddhi Expressway Claims 12 Lives; PM Modi Extends Condolences and Financial Aid

By Umesh Dhiman On Oct 15, 2023

Tragic Accident on Samruddhi Expressway Claims 12 Lives; PM Modi Extends Condolences and Financial Aid

In a heart-wrenching incident, 12 individuals lost their lives, while 23 others sustained injuries when a mini-bus collided with a container on the Samruddhi Expressway. This tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Sunday in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, earlier recognized as Aurangabad.

Details of the Accident

Around 12:30 am, near the Vaijapur area on the expressway, which is approximately 350 km away from Mumbai, a speeding mini-bus carrying 35 passengers crashed into the back of a container. Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver lost control, leading to the unfortunate collision. The victims of this tragic accident comprised five men, six women, and a young girl.

The injured passengers are currently receiving treatment at a nearby government hospital. Their conditions are being closely monitored, with hopes for a swift recovery.

VIDEO | 12 killed, several injured after a mini-bus collided with a container on Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra earlier today.
READ: https://t.co/GyfRcuqQpL
(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/GUQUCeT0mQ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 15, 2023

Nation’s Leader Expresses Grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his profound sorrow upon hearing the news of this tragic accident. Through the Prime Minister’s Office’s post on the social media platform X, he extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He wrote, “Pained by the loss of lives due to an accident in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.”

In a noble gesture, PM Modi announced an ex-gratia amount from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The families of the deceased will receive Rs. 2 lakh each, while the injured will be provided with Rs. 50,000.

Pained by the loss of lives due to an accident in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. An ex-grata of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 15, 2023

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Safety on Roads – A Concern

Incidents like these bring to the forefront the perennial concerns over road safety in India. Proper implementation of traffic rules, regular checks on vehicle conditions, and effective training for drivers are imperative. The tragedy at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for intensified efforts to ensure safety on the roads and prevent such mishaps.

As investigations continue, the nation collectively mourns the loss of lives and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured.