In a horrific road accident that has sent shockwaves through Chennai, two young college students lost their lives after being crushed between two government buses near Vandalur on Wednesday night. The victims, both 22-year-olds pursuing higher education, were waiting at a traffic signal when tragedy struck.
The Fatal Collision: A Nightmare at the Signal
The incident occurred near Mahindra City on the busy stretch between Singaperumal Koil and Mahindra City. Lokesh from Namakkal district and Sahith Farhan from Vandavasi, who were sharing a rented accommodation and studying at a private college in Kattankulathur, were returning home after visiting a commercial establishment.
As they waited on their motorcycle behind a stationary government bus at the traffic signal, a second state transport corporation bus, traveling from Tindivanam towards Madhavaram, lost control and rammed into them from behind at high speed. The violent impact propelled the two-wheeler forward, sandwiching it and the young riders between the stationary bus and the moving bus. Both students sustained catastrophic injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Immediate Aftermath and Police Action
Alert passers-by immediately informed the police personnel from the Potheri traffic investigation wing. Officers rushed to the accident site, recovered the bodies, and sent them to the Chengalpet Government Hospital for a postmortem examination. The police have registered a case and arrested the driver of the bus, identified as Raja, who is now facing legal proceedings for his alleged role in the fatal crash.
A Notorious Accident-Prone Zone: Unfinished Safety Works
This tragic event has once again highlighted the extreme danger of the stretch between Singaperumal Koil and Mahindra City, which witnesses a heavy daily traffic volume of nearly 1.2 lakh vehicles. Shockingly, this area has reported around 20 accidents in the past year alone, cementing its reputation as a major accident-prone zone.
Authorities have long been aware of the risks. As early as 2016, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) identified seven accident-prone black spots on the Tambaram-Chengalpet corridor, including this particular stretch. In response, NHAI launched a black spot rectification project in 2019, which promised critical safety upgrades like the installation of metal crash barriers and solar-powered warning lights to alert motorists.
However, in a grim revelation that underscores systemic failures, officials confirmed that these crucial safety works are yet to be completed. The delay in implementing these measures has left commuters, including young students like Lokesh and Sahith Farhan, vulnerable on one of the busiest and most dangerous sections of the highway.
