A tragic accident in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, India, resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people, including three children, and left over 30 others injured when an overcrowded bus fell off a bridge. The bus was en route to Indore on Tuesday, May 9, around 8:30 am when the driver, who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, lost control of the vehicle.
The Times of India reported that the bus broke through the bridge’s railing and crashed into a dry riverbed, crushing several passengers as it collided with the rocky terrain. Following the accident, the driver fled the scene.
Local residents quickly launched a rescue operation, using tractors and trolleys to transport the injured to hospitals before ambulances arrived.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced monetary compensation of approximately $4,800 for the families of the deceased, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared financial assistance from his office’s National Relief Fund of $600 for those seriously injured and $300 for individuals with minor injuries.
India’s National Relief Fund is a charitable trust that offers financial assistance and relief to individuals and communities affected by disasters and emergencies. It serves as a central fund that collects voluntary contributions from individuals, organizations, and the government to support relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Established in 1948 under the Prime Minister’s Office, the fund provides immediate aid to those impacted by natural disasters, accidents, epidemics, and terrorist attacks. The collected funds are used to provide essential relief measures like food, shelter, medical support, and rehabilitation to affected individuals and communities nationwide.
The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio chairman, and a group of trustees manages the fund. Established guidelines and procedures ensure transparency and accountability in fund utilization.
The National Relief Fund is distinct from funds and schemes specifically aimed at compensating accident victims, such as those outlined in the Motor Vehicles Act. The National Relief Fund focuses on general disaster relief rather than accident-related assistance.
Over the years, numerous bus accidents in India have made headlines, with many attributed to dangerous roads and driving conditions in rural areas. These conditions often result from a lack of infrastructure development, poor road maintenance, and inadequate traffic management. Narrow, winding, and uneven roads, combined with insufficient street lighting and improper road signage, make driving particularly hazardous, especially during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides exacerbate existing problems. Reckless driving behavior, such as speeding, overtaking on narrow roads, and driving under the influence of alcohol, further contributes to the high number of accidents in these regions. The combination of these factors, along with overcrowded and poorly maintained vehicles, makes rural India’s roads some of the deadliest in the world, leading to the tragic loss of lives and severe injuries each year.
