Ahmedabad: A 52-year-old senior manager lost his life after being thrown off the Balolnagar bridge in Ranip when his motorcycle struck a divider late Wednesday night. This tragic incident marks the second fatal fall from the same bridge in just nine days and the third major fatal accident reported from the stretch this year, intensifying residents' concerns over its alleged faulty design and inadequate barriers.
Details of the Incident
The deceased, Atul Panchal, was employed at a private company in Gandhinagar GIDC Sector-25 and resided with his elder brother's family in Ranip. According to police, Panchal was returning home from New Ranip on his motorcycle around 1:15 am when the accident occurred.
As per the complaint filed by his elder brother Mahesh with the L-Division traffic police, the family was informed about the accident by a neighbor in the middle of the night. When relatives reached the bridge, they found Panchal's motorcycle lying damaged on the bridge while he had fallen onto the road below, suffering severe head and body injuries.
Preliminary Investigation
The First Information Report (FIR) stated that Panchal was allegedly riding at high speed and was not wearing a helmet. Preliminary inquiries revealed that he lost balance near a curve on the bridge, causing the motorcycle to skid and crash into the divider. The impact threw him over the side of the bridge. Police have registered a case of accidental death and initiated further investigation.
Recurring Safety Concerns
The latest accident has once again brought the spotlight on the Balolnagar bridge, which residents claim has become a death trap due to its sharp curve, inadequate side barricades, and lack of preventive safety measures. Just nine days earlier, Sanjay Makwana, 30, died in a nearly identical accident after his motorcycle hit the divider and railing before plunging off the bridge. In January of this year, a two-wheeler rider was killed and his wife seriously injured when their scooter was allegedly hit by a speeding vehicle on the same bridge.
Residents are demanding immediate action to improve safety on the bridge, including the installation of proper barriers, warning signs, and speed breakers. The repeated tragedies highlight the urgent need for authorities to address the structural flaws and prevent further loss of life.
