A young bike-taxi driver's relentless struggle to provide for his family was tragically cut short on a Delhi road, leaving his pregnant wife, infant daughter, and ailing mother in a state of shock and despair.
A Life Dedicated to Family Ends in Tragedy
For 26-year-old Zubair Ali, every extra hour on Delhi's chaotic roads meant more security for his loved ones. With a wife five months pregnant, a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and a 70-year-old mother who recently underwent eye surgery, he drove for aggregators like Rapido and Uber and took on additional ration-loading work. This grueling routine, born out of necessity after his father's death in 2021, ended on Sunday when a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) water tanker ran over him in a hit-and-run incident.
Zubair was declared dead at GTB Hospital, despite wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Police reported that his head was crushed under the vehicle's tyre. The tanker driver allegedly fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle.
A Family Shattered, An Uncertain Future
Back in their rented home in Ghaziabad's Loni, the family is grappling with an unimaginable loss. Zubair's elder brother, Dilshad, recounted the young man's unwavering dedication. "He never complained. He would take as many rides as possible, day and night. If there was extra work available, he did that too," Dilshad told TOI.
The news of the accident came abruptly. A friend of Zubair's, who had spoken to him about a billing issue just 15-20 minutes prior, received a call from the police informing him of the death. Zubair's wife, 23-year-old Sania, has been bedridden since the incident. "She is five months pregnant and in deep shock. She doesn't speak, she doesn't eat. We don't know how to handle this," Dilshad said. Their young daughter, Inaya, is too small to comprehend the tragedy.
Dreams Deferred and Justice Sought
Zubair, a resident of Basoud village in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district, had studied till Class 10. He came to Delhi with dreams of educating his children in a private school and ensuring proper medical care for his mother. His bike, a wedding gift from three years ago, was his lifeline to achieving these goals.
The driver of the DJB tanker, identified as 32-year-old Khantab Ali, has been arrested. During interrogation, he told police that he sped up after receiving a call from a friend, leading to the collision with the bike-taxi driver.
The incident has not only robbed a family of its sole breadwinner but has also highlighted the perennial dangers faced by gig economy workers on India's roads. As Zubair's family searches for answers and a way forward, his brother's words echo their plight: "He was the only earning member. We don't know what to do next."
