In a tragic accident in Bengaluru, a 22-year-old college student was killed when she was knocked by a lorry while attempting to steer clear of a pothole on one of the busy city roads. The incident happened on Monday morning near Budigere Cross and has left family, friends, and the community in shock.
Based on the reports of the Bengaluru City Police, the student, who was named as Dhanushree, was driving her two-wheeler to college when she swerved to miss a wide pothole in the center of the road. The drastic maneuver led her to collide with an approaching lorry, which left her with fatal injuries. She died on the spot despite attempts by passersby and responders to provide immediate first aid.
The accident has brought back to the fore questions of road safety and infrastructure in Bengaluru, especially on the high-traffic areas. Budigere Cross residents have often complained about the bad state of roads and huge potholes, particularly during the monsoon months, that make driving dangerous.
“Deep potholes are a real danger to motorcyclists and motorists. We have complained several times, but nothing much has been done,” said a resident. Most residents feel that the failure of civic bodies to carry out timely maintenance is largely responsible for such fatal accidents.
The police have booked a case and are probing the accident as a hit-and-run, as the driver of the lorry had escaped from the scene. Officials are scrutinizing CCTV footage from traffic cameras nearby to find out about the vehicle and the driver involved so they can bring the latter to justice. Police officials have also called on witnesses who happened to witness the accident to step forward and help with the probe.
Experts point out that conditions of roads in fast-growing cities such as Bengaluru can be dangerous, especially for two-wheeler riders. A 2024 report by Bengaluru Traffic Police noted that almost 40% of the accidents on city roads are caused by potholes or badly maintained roads, underlining the need for immediate infrastructure upgradation.
The accident has evoked outrage on social media with citizens calling for local authorities, such as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), to be held accountable. Citizens have posted photos of huge potholes all over the city, attributing the systemic neglect that causes avoidable deaths.
Road safety activists are urging quick action, including:
Regular Road Maintenance: Regular repair of potholes and damaged stretches, particularly in traffic-prone zones.
Improved Signage: Posting warning signs along potholes and work zones to warn motorists.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Informing riders and drivers on good driving habits and road accident prevention.
Stringent Traffic Law Enforcement: Punishing drivers who ignore safety regulations or run away from accident scenes.
The tragic demise of Dhanushree is a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by common travelers and the need for good infrastructure and civic sense. Her friends from college and relatives demanded justice and improved road safety measures to avoid such accidents in the future.
As the probe goes on, city officials are under mounting pressure to cure Bengaluru of its lingering pothole menace. With the speed of urban expansion and growing traffic on Bengaluru roads, the imperative for active infrastructure maintenance never seemed more pressing.
In memory of the young student, social media users and civic groups are calling on residents to remain alert during their commute and to report dangerous road conditions in a timely manner. The hope is that Dhanushree’s fatal accident will wake everyone up to ensure safety on roads and save lives in Bengaluru.
