Kalyan, April 13 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday expressed grief over the loss of 11 people in a head-on collision on the Kalyan-Ahilyanagar highway.
“The horrific accident on National Highway-61 near Kalyan, resulting in the death of 11 people, is extremely unfortunate. I pay my heartfelt tributes to them. We share in the grief of their families. We are in constant touch with the local administration,” the Chief Minister said in his condolence message.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the news of the horrific accident between a car and a truck near the bridge at Rayate in Kalyan taluka on the Kalyan-Ahilyanagar National Highway is extremely heartbreaking.
“In this accident, 11 passengers in the car have lost their lives. The process of inquiring into the accident has been initiated, and a thorough investigation of this incident will be conducted. May the souls of the citizens, who lost their lives in this accident attain peace — this is my prayer at the feet of the Lord. Heartfelt condolences to all of them. In this extremely trying time, I share in the grief of the families of the deceased and pray that they find the strength to recover from this sorrow.”
Earlier, a heart-wrenching accident on the Kalyan-Murbad-Ahilyanagar highway claimed the lives of 11 people early Monday morning.
The tragedy occurred on the Rayte Bridge when a cement mixer truck and a “Kali-Peeli” (black and yellow) Maruti Suzuki Eeco taxi collided head-on with devastating force.
All 11 occupants of the taxi died in the mishap.
Among the deceased, seven were residents of Murbad, one from Kalyan, and one from Satara; the identities of the remaining two victims are yet to be established.
According to police sources, the taxi was heading toward Murbad from Kalyan.
Due to ongoing roadwork, traffic from both directions was diverted onto a single lane of the Rayte Bridge.
Witnesses said that the accident occurred when the taxi driver attempted to overtake another vehicle. During the manoeuvre, the driver reportedly lost control and rammed into an oncoming cement mixer truck. The impact was so severe that the taxi was completely crushed, leaving no chance for survival.
Local residents and emergency services rushed to the site immediately. The victims were extricated from the wreckage and rushed to the nearby Goveli Hospital, where doctors declared them all dead on arrival.
The incident has sparked public outrage and raised several critical questions, including administrative negligence, safety violations and lack of adequate infrastructure.
Locals are questioning the decision to keep only one side of the bridge open for two-way traffic.
Investigations are looking into why the taxi was carrying passengers far beyond its legal capacity.
Residents have demanded that both sides of the road be opened immediately to prevent further casualties.
Murbad MLA Kisan Kathore expressed deep grief over the incident, noting that despite the road being relatively wide, the tragedy was a direct result of reckless driving and negligence during an overtake.
He confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been briefed, and instructions have been issued to provide aid to the families of the deceased.
–IANS
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