Open median on busy road: How delayed works created risky cut

The stretch of Jaipur-Ajmer highway where 12 people lost their lives and several more were left with severe burns in Friday's LPG tanker explosion has long been a source of concern for local residents, who blame poor traffic management and ongoing construction work for creating hazardous conditions.

- HT Correspondent

JAIPUR: The stretch of Jaipur-Ajmer highway where 12 people lost their lives and several more were left with severe burns in Friday's LPG tanker explosion has long been a source of concern for local residents, who blame poor traffic management and ongoing construction work for creating hazardous conditions.

The accident site, a U-turn near Delhi Public School in Bhankrota area, has witnessed multiple accidents in recent years, according to residents. The spot has become particularly dangerous due to construction work on a new flyover and Ring Road project that has stretched on for years.

"The accident is the result of negligence by the administration," said Abhishek Jain, a Bhankrota resident. "The construction work has been going on for around two years and due to that the roads were narrowed down which increased the traffic load on this route. Accidents are reported daily but the police and administration have not done anything."

The timing of Friday's accident - around 5am - may have prevented an even greater tragedy, Jain noted. "If it had happened around 8am or 9am, the extent of the damage could have been much worse."