KKN Gurugram Desk | In a tragic incident in Muzaffarpur district, two young men lost their lives after a speeding motorcycle hit a cyclist and then veered uncontrollably into a bus. The collision was so severe that the motorcycle got trapped under the bus, leading to the crushing deaths of both riders. The incident, which occurred on National Highway 77 (NH 77) near the Bedoul OP area of Aurai police station, has left the local community shocked and angry, particularly because similar accidents have been recurring in the area.
The Chain of Events Leading to the Accident
On the evening of Thursday, February 13, 2025, a high-speed motorcycle, driven by two young men, collided with a cyclist on NH 77. The motorcycle lost control and veered into an oncoming bus traveling towards Sitamarhi. The impact was so severe that the motorcycle slid underneath the bus, where it was crushed by the vehicle’s wheels. Both young men riding the motorcycle died on the spot.
The victims were identified as 22-year-old Roshan Kumar, the son of Ramkaran Sah from Sheikhpur, Muzaffarpur city, and 23-year-old Shubham Kumar, the son of Dheeraj Kumar. They were friends, traveling together to meet someone in the area. In the unfortunate sequence of events, the cyclist, 65-year-old Bhagyanarayan Pandey, was also severely injured and was rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Eyewitness Account and Police Investigation
According to eyewitnesses, the motorcycle first collided with the cyclist, who was riding on the highway. After hitting the cyclist, the motorcycle lost control and was struck by a bus traveling in the opposite direction. The collision caused the motorcycle to slide underneath the bus, and the two riders were crushed by the wheels of the vehicle.
The bus was traveling from the Sitamarhi side when it came into contact with the motorcycle. The impact was so catastrophic that it caused traffic jams on both sides of the highway. People were seen gathering around the accident site, attempting to assist, while also witnessing the horrific aftermath.
Local police arrived at the scene shortly afterward. A team from Bedoul OP, led by Officer Manoj Kumar Singh, worked to extricate the bodies of the victims from under the bus. According to Singh, phone calls started flooding in from the families of the victims, who were notified of the tragic accident. Both victims were residents of Akhadaghat, a locality in the region.
Anger and Outcry from Local Residents
After the accident, the local population became increasingly agitated. The incident quickly turned into a public issue, with residents expressing their frustration over the increasing number of accidents in the area. People gathered around the scene, demanding that action be taken to prevent further tragedies on NH 77, which connects important towns and serves as a major route for both domestic and international travelers, especially those from Nepal.
Calls for Speed Bumps and Infrastructure Improvements
Local leaders, including prominent figures like Saket Suman, the chief representative of the area, and Rajnish Kumar, the representative of the local panchayat, voiced their concerns about the recurring accidents. According to them, the residents had repeatedly raised the issue with senior district officials, including the District Magistrate (DM), requesting the installation of speed bumps or other traffic control measures between Bedoul and Janar, but no substantial action had been taken so far.
The lack of a proper divider on the highway has also been flagged as a major concern. According to local residents, the absence of a physical divider between the two lanes of traffic makes the highway more prone to accidents. Moreover, the highway serves as a crucial route for vehicles from neighboring districts as well as for traffic coming from Nepal. This adds to the pressure on the road, further increasing the risk of accidents.
In the aftermath of the incident, local representatives are urging the administration to take swift action to prevent such tragedies in the future. They emphasized the importance of making necessary infrastructural improvements to ensure public safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents on NH 77. Some of the measures proposed include the construction of speed bumps, installation of traffic signs, and the construction of a road divider to separate the lanes of traffic.
Traffic Congestion and Road Safety Issues
The road on which the accident took place, NH 77, has witnessed multiple accidents in the past, according to locals. The absence of road safety measures such as speed limits, speed bumps, and effective traffic management has been a long-standing concern. The busy nature of the highway, used by both domestic and international vehicles, adds to the complexity of ensuring road safety.
Residents of the area claim that the authorities have been slow to address these issues, even after numerous requests and complaints. The constant flow of vehicles, especially from neighboring regions and Nepal, makes it imperative for the government to take action and improve road infrastructure.
Bihar’s Road Safety Challenges
The incident underscores the pressing need for road safety measures across Bihar. While the state has been making progress in infrastructure development, many areas still lack basic traffic control systems that can prevent accidents. The state government and local authorities need to focus on improving the condition of roads, especially those in rural areas and on highways, where accidents are more likely to occur due to high-speed vehicles.
As the demand for better road infrastructure grows, it is essential that the state prioritizes road safety, implements stricter traffic laws, and installs measures like speed bumps and dividers to curb accidents. There is also a need for better public awareness programs to educate drivers and pedestrians about safe road practices.
The tragic accident in Muzaffarpur highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures on National Highway 77 and other major roads in Bihar. With the increasing number of accidents, it is clear that immediate action is required from both the state government and local authorities. The installation of speed bumps, dividers, and better traffic management systems can go a long way in preventing such accidents and saving lives.
Local leaders and residents are calling for swift action to address the infrastructure shortcomings that have led to numerous accidents in the region. Until these measures are implemented, Bihar’s roads will continue to pose a significant risk to the safety of its residents. Therefore, it is crucial for authorities to take this issue seriously and act swiftly to ensure the safety of all road users.
In the meantime, the families of the victims continue to mourn the tragic loss of their loved ones, while the local community is left grappling with the aftermath of yet another preventable tragedy on the roads of Bihar.