In yet another tragic reminder of Bengaluru’s road infrastructure problems, a woman died in a horrific accident after her two-wheeler skidded on a pothole-filled road in the Whitefield traffic police limits early Saturday morning.
The victim, named Kantha, was travelling with her daughter, Neha, when the accident happened. The mother and daughter were said to be on their way from Marathahalli towards Siddapura, and Kantha was taking her daughter to college.
So far, recent rainfall had left waterlogged sections of the road, which made it hard for commuters to see potholes, investigators said. As the two-wheeler approached one such damaged section of the road, it apparently skidded after hitting a pothole concealed by rainwater.
The sudden loss of balance caused both riders to fall onto the road. Neha escaped with injuries, but Kantha fell right into the path of an oncoming school bus. Before the bus driver could react, it was said that the heavy vehicle ran over the woman, causing serious injuries.
Passersby and residents ran to the spot and tried to help the injured woman. There was an effort to take her to a nearby hospital for emergency care. But the trauma of her injuries was too great, and Kantha died before medical attention could reach her.
Kantha's daughter saw the accident take place in front of her and was in shock. Witnesses described painful scenes at the accident site as the young woman took her mother’s sudden loss.
That tragedy has once again shed light on Bengaluru’s roads, particularly during the monsoon season at this time of year. Waterlogging hides potholes, and potholes are often hidden in the mud so that it is hard to see until too late to see them through the eyes of drivers. Road safety activists have warned that such hazards pose a particular threat to the safety of two-wheeler riders, who are one of the most vulnerable road users in the city.
The roads in the area, residents say, are not being properly repaired, and potholes and damaged stretches have not been adequately addressed despite frequent complaints.
Police officials from the Whitefield Traffic Police Station arrived on the scene soon after receiving information about the accident. The area was secured, and traffic flow was controlled while police initiated the investigation into the accident.
The road condition, the role of the pothole and whether all safety measures were taken by the vehicles involved are to be investigated. Statements from witnesses and the school bus driver are expected to be recorded as part of the inquiry.
Bengaluru's recent fatal accident has reignited concerns about road safety and infrastructure maintenance. Citizens and activists are frustrated and upset that pothole-related accidents continue to happen despite road improvements made over time.
As the investigation continues, it serves as one more reminder that bad road conditions can be fatal for everyday commuters. A family’s usual trip to college ended in a horrific tragedy, with a daughter being left to watch her mother die in a tragic accident.
