Tragic road accident in Bowenpally: three arrested
Three individuals have been apprehended by the Bowenpally police in connection with a tragic road accident that resulted in the loss of two lives. The incident, which took place on the evening of 24th March 2024 at Dairy Farm Crossroads in Bowenpally, involved a 10-wheeler Ashok Leyland truck with registration number AP-23/U-7020. The accused include the driver of the truck and top management personnel from infrastructure and fibernet companies, totaling five individuals. The driver of the truck reportedly fled the scene after the accident.
The complainant, Akash, narrated the harrowing events of that evening when he and his wife were on their way to celebrate Holi but were tragically struck by the negligent truck driver. The driver not only hit their motorbike from behind but also ran over Akash’s wife, leading to her untimely demise. Another individual named Akashraj, who was riding a motorbike, also succumbed to injuries in the accident.
The accused individuals involved in the case are identified as Urji Sekh, the truck driver; Arjun Singh, the truck owner; Gaddam Purnachandar, the Managing Director of Bharat Fibernet; K. Raghavendra, a Senior Project Manager of Lakshmi Infrastructures and Developers India Pvt Ltd; and Vemulapally Ravi Kiran, the Managing Director of Lakshmi Infrastructure & Developers India Pvt Ltd.
Investigations revealed that the primary cause of the accident was the reckless driving of the truck driver and the negligence of both the driver and the truck owner. It was found that the truck was operating without valid registration and insurance, posing a serious risk to road users. The truck owner even tried to deceive the authorities by presenting a false driver to avoid legal repercussions.
Moreover, the ongoing construction work on a flyover in the area was found to lack essential safety measures, contributing to the accident. The contractors overseeing the project failed to implement necessary safety protocols, exacerbating the risks for motorists.
In another shocking revelation, Bharat Fibernet was found to have illegally installed cables across the National Highway, creating a hazardous situation for drivers. Despite knowing the dangers posed by the illegal installation, the company continued to disregard safety concerns.
Following the evidence gathered, the Bowenpally police have arrested Arjun Singh, Gaddam Purnachandar, and K. Raghavendra, while efforts are underway to apprehend the absconding truck driver, Urji Sekh. The arrested individuals have been remanded to judicial custody.
Fatal Road Accident in Bowenpally: Arrests Made in Connection with Tragic Incident
In light of this tragic incident, the police have intensified enforcement efforts to curb life-threatening violations on the roads, such as overspeeding, wrong-side driving, and other traffic rule violations. They urge the public to adhere to traffic regulations to ensure the safety of all road users.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
