A tragic accident claimed the life of a tipper truck driver in Bilaspur district. The incident occurred on the unpaved road near Bagchal bridge during the late hours of Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
Driver Loses Control on Unpaved Road
Kuldeep Singh, a 49-year-old local resident, was driving the loaded tipper truck. He was working on the Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri railway line project at the time. Police reports indicate the driver lost control of his vehicle on the rough, unpaved surface.
The tipper truck then plunged into the Bhakra dam reservoir. Local residents heard the loud crash and immediately rushed to the scene. They promptly alerted the police about the serious accident.
Body Recovered After Extensive Search
Authorities launched a search operation immediately after receiving the alert. The recovery effort lasted for more than two hours. Rescuers eventually pulled Kuldeep Singh's body from the reservoir waters.
Angry Locals Block National Highway
The driver's family members and hundreds of local residents expressed their anger over the incident. They organized a protest against the management of the company implementing the railway project.
Protesters placed the deceased driver's body on National Highway 205. They completely blocked traffic on this important route for approximately two hours. The demonstration created significant disruption in the area.
Family Demands Compensation and Accountability
Family members made several demands during their protest. They insisted on receiving proper compensation from the construction company. The family blamed the accident directly on the poor condition of the road used for the project.
They expressed particular frustration that no senior officials from the construction company visited the accident site. Despite the fatal incident, company representatives failed to appear and address the situation.
The family raised serious questions about the company's working methods. They challenged the safety standards being implemented on the railway project. Their concerns highlighted potential negligence in maintaining safe working conditions.
Police Deploy Force to Manage Situation
Local authorities recognized the tense atmosphere developing around the protest. Police deployed additional forces to the location to maintain order and prevent any escalation.
Officials Promise to Address Demands
A team of district officials eventually arrived at the protest site. They engaged with the angry residents and listened to their grievances. The officials provided assurances that they would properly investigate all concerns raised by the family and local community.
Following these assurances from district authorities, the protesters decided to end their highway blockade. They lifted the dharna and cleared the road, allowing normal traffic flow to resume on National Highway 205.
The incident has raised important questions about worker safety on infrastructure projects in the region. Local communities are demanding better protection for those working on dangerous construction sites.
