Three Killed in India After Vehicle Plunges Off Unfinished Bridge

In a incident in Uttar Pradesh, three individuals lost their lives when their vehicle plunged into the Ramganga River on Sunday morning. The accident occurred on the Khalpur-Dataganj road in Badaun district, as the victims traveled from Bareilly to Dataganj.

Despite claims of infrastructure development, the road conditions revealed glaring safety lapses. Earlier this year, a section of the bridge had collapsed during flooding, rendering it unusable. Yet, months later, local authorities failed to install adequate barriers, signage, or warning systems near the under-construction bridge, leaving the route dangerously open to unsuspecting travelers.

According to Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam, the absence of safety precautions played a critical role in the incident. “There were no barriers or clear warning signs to alert drivers about the condition of the bridge,” he admitted. The vehicle, traveling at high speed, unknowingly advanced onto the hazardous structure and fell into the river.

Investigations revealed that the victims relied on Google Maps for navigation, which directed them to the compromised bridge. However, the root cause of the tragedy lies in the lack of accountability from local administrative and road maintenance authorities. With months to act, officials neglected to ensure public safety, allowing a preventable disaster to occur.

Emergency teams from Dataganj, Bareilly, and Faridpur rushed to the scene, retrieving the victims’ bodies and vehicle from the river. Authorities have yet to identify the deceased, and post-mortem examinations are underway.

This tragedy raises serious concerns about the state of infrastructure and the responsibilities of local governing bodies. While technology often serves as a convenient scapegoat, it is the duty of human oversight to ensure that roads are safe and properly maintained. Neglecting such responsibilities endangers lives—a reality starkly highlighted by this incident.