A tragic hit-and-run accident on a major Kolkata thoroughfare claimed the life of a 45-year-old man on Tuesday morning. The incident has once again highlighted road safety concerns in the city, coinciding with a separate multi-vehicle collision that has prompted urgent official action.
Fatal Hit-and-Run on EM Bypass
The fatal accident occurred around 9:20 am on Tuesday on the EM Bypass at Beleghata, close to the Techno India Dama Hospital. The victim, identified as Saptarshi Bakshi, a 45-year-old resident of Mall Road in Dum Dum, was riding his motorcycle when it was struck by an unidentified vehicle.
According to police officials, the driver of the offending vehicle immediately fled the scene after the collision. Bakshi was rushed for medical attention and was later declared dead at the Apollo Hospital a little after midnight.
Separate Multi-Car Pile-Up on Maa Flyover
In an unrelated but alarming incident, three cars collided with each other on Wednesday on the Maa flyover. This crash has added to a growing list of accidents on this busy elevated road, putting pressure on authorities to implement immediate safety measures.
Following Wednesday's collision, the traffic police have decided to approach the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) with a renewed request. They are urging the installation of crash barriers on the Maa flyover, with particular focus on the Garia Ramp section.
Persistent Safety Concerns and Official Response
The police request is not an isolated one but comes as a direct response to multiple accidents reported on the flyover over the past four months. The recurring nature of these incidents underscores a persistent threat to commuter safety on this key artery.
The twin events—the fatal hit-and-run on EM Bypass and the recurring dangers on Maa flyover—paint a grim picture of road safety challenges in Kolkata. While police investigate the hit-and-run to trace the absconding vehicle, the push for physical infrastructure like crash barriers represents a critical step toward preventing similar multi-vehicle pile-ups in the future.
Authorities are now tasked with a dual challenge: solving the hit-and-run case to deliver justice for Saptarshi Bakshi's family, and expediting safety upgrades on accident-prone flyovers to protect other citizens.
