On collision course: From Jaisalmer bus fire to Jaipur truck crash; back-to-back mishaps expose Rajasthan's unchecked transport chaos

JAIPUR: In just over two weeks, more than 45 people have lost their lives in a series of tragic accidents in Rajasthan, spanning Jaipur, Phalodi, and the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway.

These incidents — involving dumper trucks, school vans, pilgrim tempos, and a private bus — highlight the persistent risks in passenger transport, poor road safety enforcement, and the consequences of overcrowding and vehicle negligence, leaving families grieving.Jaipur accident: Out-of-control dumper rams vehicles on Sikar Road, 10 killedAt least 10 people were killed and several others injured when an out-of-control dumper truck rammed into nearly a dozen vehicles on Jaipur’s Sikar Road in Harmada on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1pm near Lohamandi, causing chaos as vehicles were mangled and debris scattered. Locals rushed to help the injured before emergency services arrived. Harmada police and officials launched rescue operations, while ambulances transported the victims to nearby hospitals. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and identifying the victims. Following the crash, residents protested at the site, demanding the truck driver’s arrest and better enforcement of traffic safety.

Phalodi tempo crash (Nov 2): Tempo carrying pilgrims hits stationary trailer; 15 dead, 2 injuredA routine journey turned tragic near Matoda village in Phalodi district on Sunday evening (2 Nov) when a tempo traveller carrying pilgrims from Jodhpur rammed into a stationary trailer, killing at least 15 people—including four children and 10 women—and injuring two others.Matoda SHO Amnaram said the ill-fated vehicle was carrying pilgrims from the Mali community of Soorsagar, Jodhpur, returning from a pilgrimage to Kolayat in Bikaner district.

“Near Matoda on the Bharatmala Highway, the speeding tempo rammed into a stationary trailer at around 7 pm,” he said, adding that the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.Eyewitness Mahipal Saran said trucks were often haphazardly parked along the route after small roadside eateries sprung up along the Bharatmala Highway. The tempo traveller was attempting to overtake another truck when it collided with the stationary trailer parked in front of a dhaba.Rajasthan highway tragedy (Oct 14): 22 killed, 16 injured as Jaisalmer–Jodhpur bus catches fire At least 22 people were killed and 16 others injured when a private bus carrying 57 passengers caught fire near Thaiyat village, minutes after departing Jaisalmer. Police suspected a short circuit had triggered the blaze, though survivors reported smoke emanating from the bus before it stopped. Within moments, the fire engulfed the vehicle. Locals and Army personnel rushed to control the flames until firefighters arrived.

“Bodies were charred beyond recognition,” said Pokran MLA Pratap Puri.Authorities conducted DNA tests to identify the victims, while the district administration urged the families of the missing to come forward.The PM announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).