Mandi (Munish Sood)
Two Himachal Pradesh pilgrims were killed while 11 others sustained injuries in an accident on the Bundelkhand Expressway while returning from the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.
The tragedy occurred on Saturday (February 8, 2025) morning near Chilli village in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district when a Tempo Traveler carrying 13 pilgrims from Baijnath in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh crashed into a stationary truck.
Both devotees killed on spot
The accident, which took place around 7.30 am, was reportedly caused as the driver dozed off. The impact was so severe that 60-year-old Nirmala (Guddi) and 50-year-old Surender Rana lost their lives on the spot while the front portion of the vehicle was completely damaged.
Emergency responders, including ambulances and UPIDA personnel, rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to the Community Health Centre in Rath. Due to the severity of their injuries, two victims were later referred to the Medical College in Orai for advanced treatment.
Series of tragic accidents
This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of road accidents involving Himachal Pradesh pilgrims traveling to the Mahakumbh. Several similar crashes have been reported over the past month:
January 28, 2025: A bus from Solan district collided with a hydra crane near Kaushambi on National Highway-2, injuring 32 pilgrims, eight critically.
January 28, 2025: Another bus carrying devotees from Solan’s Kunihar region met with an accident on the Kaushambi-Fatehpur border, injuring 25 persons. One woman was reported to be in serious condition.
Spiritual journey overshadowed by road tragedies
The Mahakumbh, held every 12 years, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, drawing millions of devotees. However, the recent spate of accidents underscores the urgent need for enhanced transportation safety.
