Union Minister reviews situation, assures proper medical care as pilgrim bus overturns in UP's Ghazipur
Ghazipur, April 10
As at least two people were killed and around 35 others injured after a bus carrying pilgrims from Maharashtra overturned near Naisara village in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav on Friday reviewed the situation and directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured.
According to officials, the accident occurred on Thursday. Assistant Private Secretary to Union Minister of State for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav, Gopal Dike, told IANS that he received a call from a person whose father was among the pilgrims travelling in the bus. The caller requested immediate assistance for hospital admission and treatment.
Dike said that upon being informed about the incident, Prataprao Jadhav promptly contacted the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, and health officials, instructing them to provide swift and adequate medical support. The local administration quickly arranged treatment facilities, ensuring that the injured received timely care, medicines, and food.
The incident took place on the Gorakhpur-Varanasi highway near Naisara village under the Nandganj police station limits. The bus, which was heading towards Varanasi, lost control and overturned. Authorities confirmed that two women -- Annapurna (50) from Akola and Saraswati (70) from Buldhana -- lost their lives in the incident.
All injured passengers were admitted to the Ghazipur Medical College and Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. The condition of three passengers remains critical, and a team of specialist doctors has been deployed for their care.
Reports indicate that a group of 48 pilgrims from Maharashtra had travelled to Uttar Pradesh on a religious tour. After visiting Ayodhya and Nepal, they were en route to Kashi Vishwanath Dham when the accident occurred.
Soon after receiving information, a police team from Nandganj police station, along with senior officers, rushed to the spot and initiated rescue operations. Further investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is heartbreaking. These people were on a holy pilgrimage. The Gorakhpur-Varanasi highway needs better maintenance and stricter checks on bus operators. Speed and driver fatigue are often the culprits. Prayers for the injured.
While I appreciate the minister's quick response, this highlights a larger issue. Why do such accidents keep happening on our highways? We need permanent solutions - better roads, mandatory rest for drivers, and regular vehicle fitness checks. Jai Hind.
Terrible accident. The fact that the call for help went directly to a minister's office and got action shows both a personal connection and a system that can work. Hope the medical college has all the resources needed for the critical patients.
Om Shanti. Travelling long distances for darshan is part of our faith, but safety must be paramount. Tour operators must be held accountable. Good to see specialist doctors are on the case. Get well soon to all the injured.
Respectfully, while the minister's intervention is noted, it shouldn't take a call to a minister's office to get proper medical care. The local administration's emergency response should be robust and automatic for any citizen in distress. That's the real need.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.