kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata claimed the life of a motorcyclist after a chain collision involving multiple vehicles near the busy Jatragachi Metro Station crossing. The incident occurred on Wednesday night and once again highlighted growing concerns over reckless driving and traffic safety in the rapidly developing township.

According to police sources, the deceased has been identified as 33-year-old Shiva Rao. Two other individuals were also injured in the accident and are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. The collision left a trail of damaged vehicles, including a motorcycle and three cars, causing chaos at the intersection for some time.

Preliminary investigation suggests that one of the cars was travelling from the direction of Eco Park towards the iconic Biswa Bangla Gate along Biswa Bangla Sarani. As the vehicle reached the Jatragachi Metro Station crossing and attempted to pass through the signal, another car approached from the opposite lane.

Police said the second car suddenly attempted to take a U-turn at the crossing in an effort to head towards Biswa Bangla Gate. The unexpected manoeuvre triggered a collision between the two vehicles. However, the impact did not end there.

The first car lost control and rammed into a stationary motorcycle and another car waiting at the intersection. The motorcyclist was trapped beneath the vehicle during the collision and sustained critical injuries. The force of the impact left the vehicles badly damaged and caused panic among nearby commuters and pedestrians.

Personnel from the New Town Traffic Guard and officers from the Eco Park police station rushed to the spot soon after the accident was reported. The injured motorcyclist was immediately taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition, but doctors later declared him dead.

The two other injured individuals were also admitted to hospital and are currently receiving medical treatment. Police have begun an investigation to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the crash.

Officials said CCTV footage from cameras installed near the intersection will be examined to reconstruct the accident and identify any violations of traffic rules. Investigators are trying to determine whether overspeeding, reckless driving, or an illegal U-turn was responsible for the fatal collision.

Local residents have once again raised concerns over road safety in the New Town area, particularly along Biswa Bangla Sarani, which witnesses heavy traffic and high-speed movement of vehicles. Many residents complained that despite traffic regulations and occasional police checks, speeding remains a persistent problem on the stretch.

According to police data, road accidents have continued to be a major concern in the Bidhannagar Commissionerate area. Since the beginning of the year, several fatal accidents have already been reported in New Town alone, prompting renewed demands for stricter traffic enforcement, better surveillance, and improved road safety measures.

Authorities have assured that the cause of the accident will be thoroughly analysed and necessary steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.