Hyderabad: A tragic accident on the Hyderabad-Bijapur National Highway (NH-44) near Chevella’s Alur Gate has claimed the lives of four vegetable vendors, including a woman, and left three others critically injured. The incident occurred when a speeding, out-of-control truck plowed into a group of farmers selling vegetables by the roadside.
Details of the Accident
The mishap took place around 5 PM on December 1. According to eyewitness accounts, the truck (registration number AP 29 TS 0945), traveling from Hyderabad to Vikarabad, swerved off the road and struck the farmers. The victims were engaged in their daily trade of selling fresh produce when the vehicle veered into their stalls. Tragically, three individuals died on the spot, and one succumbed to injuries in the hospital.
The deceased have been identified as N. Ramlu (48), D. Krishna (22), and Shyamala Sujatha (38). The identity of the fourth victim is yet to be confirmed. The injured, including two women, were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Among them, Akula Padmamma, Shyamala Balamani, and Moghliya are reported to be in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital and the Mahender Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences.
Aftermath of the Accident
The truck came to a halt after colliding with a large banyan tree. Such was the impact of the crash that the front of the vehicle was completely mangled, and the driver remained trapped in the cabin for over two hours before being rescued. Witnesses reported that the driver appeared intoxicated and lost control while attempting to overtake a bus.
The accident caused significant disruption on the highway, with traffic halted for several kilometers in both directions, affecting commuters as far as the Telangana State Police Academy (Appa Junction).
Public Outrage and Demands
The tragedy sparked protests among local residents and opposition leaders, who demanded immediate action to improve road safety on NH-44, which has become notorious for frequent accidents. Protestors urged authorities to expedite highway expansion and ensure fair compensation for the families of the deceased and the injured.
The incident follows another accident on the same highway near Khanapur just a day earlier, in which a couple from Proddatur lost their lives.
Government Response
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed officials to ensure the injured receive the best medical care. MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy also issued a statement from Delhi, expressing his grief and calling for swift action to prevent further tragedies.
Local leaders, including Chief Whip Dr. P. Mahender Reddy, MLA Kale Yadayya, former minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy, and BRS leader P. Karthik Reddy, visited the victims at the hospital and obtained details of the accident from the police.
This devastating incident highlights the urgent need for better infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such heartbreaking accidents on one of Telangana’s busiest highways.
