Tragic Fire Incident on Ajmer-Kishangarh Highway Raises Safety Concerns

The recent gas tanker fire accident on the Ajmer-Kishangarh highway has reignited discussions on road safety and highway infrastructure in Rajasthan. The Rajasthan High Court has directed officials to relocate hazardous materials like inflammable gas and chemicals away from densely populated areas. Additionally, the court has emphasized timely completion of bridges and flyovers and the need for a dedicated policy on separate routes for transporting hazardous materials.

Authorities have been instructed to provide adequate compensation to the families of those who lost their lives, were injured, or suffered damage to their vehicles and property in this tragic incident. The court also sought updates on identifying black spots and hazardous U-turns on highways and installing warning signs to ensure safety. It remarked that if appropriate precautions had been taken, this unfortunate accident could have been prevented, as thousands of lives are lost annually on highways due to unsafe road conditions.

Infrastructure Shortcomings

The tragedy has raised questions about the adherence to national highway safety standards at the accident site. While the Jaipur-Kishangarh stretch is classified as a national highway, its deteriorating conditions resemble that of a local road. Unplanned road cuts have allowed vehicles to enter and exit the highway randomly, creating a high risk of accidents.

When constructed in 2003, this six-lane highway marked the beginning of a new era for Rajasthan's road infrastructure. However, it has not been widened or maintained to match the growing traffic demand. The accident occurred near Bhankrota, at a cut introduced in November 2020 for traffic merging with Jaipur's Ring Road. This cut was supposed to be closed by March 2023, but the delay in completing the cloverleaf flyover led to its continued use, resulting in frequent minor accidents. The recent tanker fire incident, however, has exposed serious gaps in the government’s road management system.

Calls for Action

Navneet Jhalani, convener of the Bagru Udyog Mitra, has been advocating for the closure of this dangerous cut for over two years. Despite repeated demands, it remained open due to incomplete flyover construction. The incident has also drawn comparisons to a devastating fire at the Indian Oil Corporation depot in Sanganer, Jaipur, in 2009, which claimed 12 lives and injured hundreds. That fire took nearly 10 days to extinguish, highlighting the risks posed by inflammable materials stored near populated areas.

Expert Opinions

Experts suggest that the central government and the Ministry of Petroleum should formulate a national policy to prevent accidents involving highly flammable materials. They recommend deploying escort vehicles for tankers carrying such materials to maintain a safe distance and reduce risks.

The incident has placed a spotlight on the need for coordinated efforts among the state government, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The public now awaits concrete measures to prevent such tragic events in the future and ensure the safety of all road users.

The question remains: will the government, courts, and responsible ministries take this incident as a lesson and implement policies to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate accidents?