Maharajganj Road Widening Leads to WagonR Crash Near Kushha Village

KKN Gurugram Desk | A WagonR veered into a deep construction pit near Kushha village in the Kolhùi area of Maharajganj district late Saturday night. The vehicle was misled by Google Maps navigation and ignored road diversion signs, narrowly avoiding a more serious accident. Fortunately, all five occupants, returning from Nepal, escaped with minor injuries.

Gorakhpur–Sonauli Highway Expansion Accident

The incident occurred on the Gorakhpur–Sonauli national highway, undergoing widening and flyover construction. The construction agency has drawn criticism for lax safety protocols after a similar accident occurred at the Bhaiya Farenda bridge site last month.

🔹 Accident Timeline:

• Late Saturday night, a WagonR carrying five people from Purani Basti, Basti district, was en route from Sonauli to Gorakhpur.

• The driver followed Google Maps instead of the official highway route.

• The Kolhùi bypass bridge remains under construction, with incomplete diversion signs and barricades.

• Unaware of the danger, the driver drove onto the unfinished bypass, resulting in the car plunging about 40 feet into a pit near a canal.

🔹 Rescue Efforts:

• Local Kolhùi Police, led by Station Officer Ashish Singh, promptly arrived at the scene.

• A crane was used to lift the WagonR from the pit.

• All occupants suffered minor injuries and received first aid treatment on the spot.

• The vehicle was towed to the Jogiyabari police outpost for further inspection.

 Occupants: Casualties Named and Treated

All five occupants are from Purani Basti, Basti district:

1. Jaswinder Singh (son of Surendra)

2. Akash Srivastava (son of Sunil Srivastava)

3. Kajal Arya (daughter of Ram Sundar)

4. Roqayya (daughter of Ahmad)

5. One unnamed minor passenger

After receiving treatment for minor cuts and bruises, they continued their journey home using alternate transport. Police have registered the incident and plan to take action based on the driver’s statement (tahrir).

 Why This Accident Happened

Multiple factors indicate negligence and poor planning:

1. Incomplete Construction Site:

   • Diversions and barricades not properly installed.

   • The bypass bridge was only partially built, without appropriate lighting or signals.

2. Safety Protocol Violations:

   • Passengers and police complained that contractors failed to install proper caution signs.

   • Maps and passenger navigation tools failed to update the temporary road closure.

3. Overreliance on GPS:

   • Drivers often place trust in navigation apps—even in dynamic construction zones.

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   • This makes official road signage and manual directions crucial during infrastructure work.

 Government & Police Response

• Kolhùi Station Officer (SO) Ashish Singh stated that the vehicle has been seized and first aid administered.

• An FIR will be filed once the passengers’ written statements are submitted.

• Senior local officials have urged the construction agency and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to:

  • Install robust diversion signs, barricades with reflectors

  • Deploy night lighting, especially near canals or deep pits

  • Coordinate better with local law enforcement and traffic police

 Broader Issue: Safety on Under-Construction Highways in UP

The wrecked WagonR highlights a recurring concern: road mishaps during major highway projects, especially during monsoon months.

 Major Risks Identified:

• Poor signage at night, during heavy rain, and low visibility

• GPS misdirection, taking drivers on narrow, temporary bypass lanes

• Dangerous conditions, such as exposed pits, open canals, and uneven surfaces

• Contractor accountability—regulatory bodies must enforce stronger safety checks

A similar incident at Bhaiya Farenda bridge last month saw a truck crash into a ditch, causing serious injuries to occupants. Both incidents highlight the urgent need for a safety-driven roadmap by the UP government and NHAI.

 Expert Recommendations: Boosting Road Safety

To prevent similar accidents, experts and officials recommend:

• Upgraded safety barricades with flashing reflectors and retro-reflective tape

• Mandatory night lighting near pit zones

• Coordination with Google Maps & Uber to update road closures in real time

• Regular site audits by highway authorities and police

• Increased traffic police presence, especially at night and during monsoon season

 Resident Reactions & Public Sentiment

Social media posts from locals criticized the authorities:

“Diversions were half-hearted. These accidents are avoidable.”
“Hope officials don’t wait for a fatal crash to fix signs.”

Residents argue that public awareness campaigns and community reporting of hazards can save lives.

The Kushha village accident is a stark reminder that inadequate safety measures during highway widening in UP put lives at risk. Both the UP PWD and NHAI must enforce stricter protocols—proper signage, lighting, mapping updates—to ensure construction zones don’t turn into death traps.

This WagonR rescue ended without fatalities, but a minor delay or wrong turn could lead to tragedy. Resident vigilance, developer responsibility, and police supervision must unite to protect travel safety.

KKNLive.com will continue to monitor developments in this case, including official statements from NHAI, UP government, and local authorities about improved safety systems on under-construction highways.