Kalyan-Murbad Highway Crash Claims 11 Lives in Tragic Head-On Collision
A devastating road accident on the Kalyan-Murbad stretch of National Highway 61 has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people. The incident occurred on Monday morning when a passenger taxi collided head-on with a concrete cement mixer truck, leading to a catastrophic scene that has left the local community in shock.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The accident took place around 10:45 AM on the partially opened Rayta bridge near Kalyan. According to police reports, the vehicles involved were a six-seater Eco Meter Taxi, commonly known as a black-and-yellow taxi, and a cement mixer truck. Investigations have revealed that the taxi was severely overcrowded at the time of the crash. As per Regional Transport Office (RTO) norms, the vehicle was permitted to carry only six persons, including the driver, but it was transporting 11 passengers, significantly exceeding its capacity.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the collision was head-on, with the impact being so severe that the taxi was completely mangled. All passengers were trapped inside the vehicle, making rescue efforts challenging. Local residents, who rushed to the spot after hearing the loud crash, played a crucial role in pulling out the victims from the wreckage before police and emergency services arrived.
Victims and Identification Efforts
Police officials have confirmed that nine of the deceased have been identified so far, while efforts are ongoing to ascertain the identities of the remaining two. Among the victims are three women, and in a particularly heartbreaking detail, three siblings—two sisters and their younger brother—were among those killed. They were returning to their native village in Murbad after their summer vacation, adding a layer of personal tragedy to the incident.
The deceased were residents of Murbad, Kalyan, and Diva. Those identified include taxi driver Prashant Rupesh Chendne (21), and passengers Jijabai Kembari (60), Bhushan Ghorpade (45), Neha Mohpe (16), Mansi Mohpe (20), Prathamesh Mohpe (15), Deepak Gavli (26), and Ananta Pawar (60).
Police Investigation and Suspected Causes
Authorities suspect that overspeeding and negligence on the part of both drivers led to the fatal crash. Anil Lad, deputy superintendent of police for the Murbad division, stated, "Prima facie, it appears both drivers were at fault as the vehicles collided head-on." The taxi driver, Prashant Chendne, died in the accident, while the truck driver fled the scene. A search has been launched for the truck driver, and a case has been registered against both individuals.
Local Outrage and Safety Concerns
The incident has triggered significant outrage among local residents, who have raised serious concerns about road safety. Locals alleged that the accident was exacerbated by ongoing construction work on the Rayta bridge. Only two lanes of the newly constructed bridge were recently opened to traffic, with work on the remaining stretch still incomplete. Residents claim that vehicles often speed on the open lanes, increasing the risk of accidents.
In response to the tragedy, locals are demanding a high-level probe into the accident, stricter enforcement against overloading by taxis, and accountability for allowing traffic on a partially completed bridge. Kalyan deputy RTO Ashutosh Barkul highlighted ongoing efforts, noting, "In the past one year, we have taken action against 1,896 permit vehicles in the Kalyan division area who have violated several norms, including over seating."
Official Response and Condolences
Senior officials, including assistant superintendent of police Anmol Mittal, visited the accident site to oversee rescue and investigation efforts. Local MLA Kishan Kathore also reached the spot and spoke to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The chief minister expressed his condolences to the victims' families and assured financial assistance to help them cope with the loss.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures, stricter enforcement of vehicle regulations, and better infrastructure management to prevent such incidents in the future.
