An Innova car accidentally merged into Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's convoy on Monday at Ghulal Toll Plaza near Samrala, causing a collision with a government ambulance that left two people injured, police officials confirmed.
Accident Details and Immediate Response
The Governor's convoy was traveling from Chandigarh to Ludhiana when the incident occurred around 8 am. As the convoy passed through the reserved VIP lane at the toll plaza, an Innova car suddenly entered the formation, creating chaos. The ambulance driver, part of the convoy, braked hard to avoid a crash but lost control and rammed into the Innova from behind.
Two individuals sustained injuries: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Gurjant Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran who was in the ambulance, and Gurjeet Kaur, a Ludhiana resident traveling in the Innova. A Road Safety Force team immediately rushed them to the Government Hospital in Samrala for treatment. No other VIP vehicles in the convoy were damaged.
Police Investigation and Statements
Police officers arrived swiftly and examined CCTV footage from the toll plaza. Khanna SSP Darpan Ahluwalia stated, “At the Ghulal Toll Plaza, a car tried to join the cavalcade of the Punjab Governor without noticing the oncoming ambulance. When the ambulance driver applied brakes, it rammed into the Innova from behind. It was an accident and not a deliberate attempt to enter the convoy.”
The Innova driver told media that he was traveling with his mother and wife and was unaware of the convoy. After the VIP vehicles passed, a toll plaza employee signaled his car to proceed through the same lane. He stopped at the barrier to pay the toll, but within seconds, the ambulance collided with his car from behind.
Impact and Safety Measures
The incident highlights potential risks at toll plazas where VIP convoys and regular traffic intersect. Police confirmed no security breach occurred, and the collision was purely accidental. The injured are reported to be in stable condition at the hospital. Authorities are reviewing protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
