Report By Sachin Dravekar – Citizen Journalist
Pratap Nagar Ring Road Turning Into an Accident Hotspot? Citizens Raise Alarm After Series of Fatal Crashes
Nagpur: A series of fatal and serious road accidents on the Pratap Nagar Ring Road stretch — from Orange City Hospital to Radhe Mangalam Hall — has triggered growing concern among residents, commuters, and local traders, with many now questioning whether the area is rapidly emerging as one of Nagpur’s most dangerous traffic zones.
The latest tragedy occurred near Grand Beer Bar on Pratap Nagar Ring Road, where a Blinkit delivery executive lost his life after a reportedly reckless Apache motorcycle collided head-on with his vehicle. The delivery boy succumbed to severe injuries, while the riders of the Apache bike were also critically injured.
The incident has once again brought the spotlight on repeated accidents occurring on this stretch over the past few months.
Local corporator and head of the NMC Legal Committee, Nidhi Telgote, stated that a detailed discussion was recently held with newly appointed DCP Traffic Aditya Mirkhelkar regarding the increasing number of accidents in the Pratap Nagar and Radhe Mangalam areas.
According to her, the DCP Traffic has taken serious note of the situation and assured that several traffic safety measures are being planned. He reportedly emphasized that cooperation from local citizens and commercial establishments would also be crucial in preventing road mishaps.
Multiple Serious Accidents Within Weeks
Residents say the Blinkit delivery boy’s death is not an isolated incident.
Just two months ago, a young Rapido bike taxi rider lost his life near Radhe Mangalam Square after allegedly being crushed under an SUV. Merely a week later, another horrific accident shocked the locality when a reportedly drunk WagonR driver hit a young girl at the same square and, while allegedly attempting to flee, ran over a senior citizen woman who died on the spot.
In another recent incident, a middle-aged biker suffered severe brain injuries and a fractured leg after being hit by a rashly driven car near the Pratap Nagar to Somalwar School Road stretch.
Adding to the concern, on Sunday morning two luxury SUVs collided head-on at Pratap Nagar Square. Though no casualties were reported, both vehicles were badly damaged and traffic movement remained disrupted for over an hour, according to nearby shopkeepers.
Locals claim that besides these major accidents, several minor collisions and near-miss incidents occur on the stretch regularly.
Citizens Demand Immediate Traffic Reforms
Following the recent death of the Blinkit delivery executive, residents have intensified their demand for urgent traffic reforms on the Ring Road corridor.
Citizens are particularly demanding the closure or redesigning of dangerous median crossings, especially the ones opposite Chaudhary Lifestyle and Grand Beer Bar, which many believe are major accident-prone points.
Some residents have suggested installation of speed breakers, stricter speed monitoring systems, and dedicated traffic personnel at both Radhe Mangalam Square and Pratap Nagar Square.
Demands for similar safety measures had also surfaced after the earlier fatal accidents at Radhe Mangalam, but locals allege that little concrete action has been taken so far.
“Three Lives Lost, Three Families Destroyed”
The repeated tragedies have left the community shaken and angry. Residents argue that while authorities may discuss future plans and proposals, families who lost their loved ones continue to suffer irreversible damage.
“Three lives have already been lost in just a short span. Three families have been devastated. Who will take responsibility for them?” questioned a local resident.
With mounting public pressure and rising accident figures, citizens are now hoping that traffic authorities and civic agencies act swiftly before another tragedy strikes this increasingly dangerous stretch of Nagpur’s Ring Road.
