A blanket of very dense fog crippled visibility across parts of Ludhiana district on Sunday morning, triggering a series of separate road accidents that resulted in two fatalities and left at least five other individuals injured. The hazardous conditions, which reduced visibility to near zero in some areas, caused chaos primarily in the Doraha and Samrala regions.
Major Pileup on Southern Bypass Near Ajnod
The most severe incident was a multi-vehicle collision on the Southern Bypass close to Ajnod village, occurring around 8:30 am. Authorities reported that visibility at the site was a mere 10 meters. The chain of events began with an initial collision between an auto-rickshaw and a motorcycle in the thick mist.
As following vehicles tried to maneuver around the wreckage, a truck transporting gas cylinders was forced to brake abruptly. This sudden stop caused a car to rear-end the truck. The impact of the crash led to several gas cylinders spilling onto the road; fortunately, police confirmed that none of the cylinders caught fire or exploded.
The situation worsened when a cement truck, unable to stop in time, plowed into the rear of the cylinder carrier. Inspector Akash Datt, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Doraha police station, stated that four to five vehicles were damaged in this pileup. The accident claimed the life of one man, identified as Bara Singh from Gurthali village. Four other people sustained injuries and were hospitalized, though their conditions were reported as non-life-threatening.
Separate Incidents Add to Morning's Toll
The dangerous fog was responsible for another fatal accident on Bharthala Road. A motorcyclist lost his life after colliding with a vehicle that fled the scene. The pillion rider on the motorcycle suffered serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
In a bizarre incident near Samrala, a car collided with a passenger bus. While no injuries were reported from this crash, it opened a dual probe for police. The bus driver has been booked for reckless driving. Upon inspecting the abandoned car, officers discovered a cache of liquor bottles inside. The occupants had fled on foot, and police are now working to trace the vehicle's registered owner.
Unrelated Vehicle Fire in Jagraon
In an unrelated event late on Saturday, a car was completely gutted by a fire in the Agwar Lopon area of Jagraon. Fire tenders managed to douse the flames, but the vehicle suffered total structural damage. No casualties were reported in this incident.
The series of accidents on Sunday has once again highlighted the extreme risks associated with driving in very dense fog, a common winter hazard in northern India. Local authorities have reiterated advisories for drivers to use fog lights, reduce speed, and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of severely low visibility.
