Tragedy struck Rajkot on Thursday evening as two separate road accidents claimed the lives of two women, highlighting the city's ongoing traffic safety concerns.
Hit-and-Run on Kothariya Ring Road Claims Senior Citizen's Life
A speeding car killed a 63-year-old woman in a hit-and-run incident on Kothariya Ring Road. The victim has been identified as Indu Maru, a resident of Jetpur. According to police, Indu had travelled to Rajkot with her husband, Pragji Maru, to visit their daughter who lives at Hudko Chokdi.
The couple's journey took a fatal turn after they alighted from a state transport bus at Gondal Chokdi. They proceeded by auto-rickshaw and were crossing the road near their daughter's residence around 7 pm when the accident occurred. A Scorpio car, allegedly speeding, struck them both.
Pragji Maru, who was walking ahead, sustained minor injuries. However, Indu, who was behind him, suffered serious, life-threatening wounds. Showing utter disregard for human life, the driver of the car fled the spot without stopping to offer assistance. Indu was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Police Investigation and Second Fatal Collision
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Hetal Patel stated that the investigation is actively underway. "CCTV footage from the area is being examined and efforts are underway to identify the vehicle and its driver," Patel said. The police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
In a heartbreaking parallel incident occurring just about an hour later, another woman lost her life in a road accident. Around 8 pm near Metoda GIDC, an Eco car collided with an auto-rickshaw. The deceased in this case has been identified as Gangadevi Chaudhary, aged 45.
Police reports indicate that Gangadevi and her husband, Pramod Chaudhary, both vegetable vendors, were returning home when the collision happened. Both sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. Tragically, Gangadevi succumbed to her injuries. Pramod Chaudhary, a native of Bihar, is currently undergoing treatment.
A Grim Reminder of Road Safety Failures
These back-to-back fatal accidents on a single evening have sent shockwaves through Rajkot. They serve as a stark and somber reminder of the critical need for:
- Stricter enforcement of speed limits, especially on ring roads and industrial areas.
- Improved pedestrian infrastructure and safe crossing zones.
- Heightened accountability for drivers who flee accident scenes.
The families of Indu Maru and Gangadevi Chaudhary are now left to grapple with immense, sudden loss. While the police pursue the hit-and-run driver from the first incident, the community mourns and calls for concrete action to prevent such needless deaths on Rajkot's roads.
