Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Chief Engineer Mukesh Anand, Executive Engineer (XEN) Sham Lal, a driver and five engineering students of a private college sustained injuries in a head-on collision between a Zen car and the official Ambassador car of the Chief Engineer near Bhago Majra village on the Kharar-Morinda highway here today.
The mishap took place at around 11.30 am in front of Chandigarh Dhaba when the Chief Engineer, along with the XEN, was going towards Morinda to inspect the Kajauli waterworks. The Zen car, coming from the Morinda side, collided head-on with their car while overtaking another vehicle.
The Chief Engineer, the XEN and driver Murugan, who were in the Ambassador car, and three students -- Harsimran Singh (18), Kunal (19) and Parveen (18), all first-year students of GGS Sachdeva College at Bhago Majra, who were in the Zen car, have been admitted to the PGI. Two other students, Amanpreet Singh (19) and Pawandeep (20), who were also in the Zen car, are recuperating at the Kharar Civil Hospital.
The impact of the collision was so strong that the engine of the Zen car got detached and fell on the road. “One of the students was tossed out of the car due to the strong impact of the collision,” said Sanjiv Kumar, an eyewitness. The Ambassador was badly damaged and the driver had to be pulled out of the car.
The students, after having snacks at a dhaba, sat in their Zen car (CH 03 N 0518) and were reportedly moving at a high speed when the driver lost control over the vehicle and hit the Ambassador car (CH 01 GA 0101) first and then UT Finance Secretary Sarvjit Singh’s official Corolla car (CH 01 0007).
MC officials, along with UT Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev, Finance Secretary Sarvjit Singh and UT Mayor Poonam Sharma were going in different cars to inspect the Kajauli waterworks. Sarvjit Singh was travelling with Dev in his car and they were ahead of the Ambassador car when the mishap took place. The Finance Secretary’s official car, which was trailing the Ambassador car, also suffered minor damage after being subsequently hit by the Zen car.
City Mayor Poonam Sharma, who was behind the victims' cars, lent a helping hand to the accident victims. Poonam Sharma said she first noticed the Zen car occupants. “We were helping them when we got to know that our official vehicles also met with the accident. I saw Mukesh Anand (whose skin had peeled off from the forehead) and a student in a critical condition and took them to the PGI in our vehicle. On the way, the 100 number was dialled for traffic assistance and the PGI authorities were also informed for medical assistance,” said the Mayor.
Sarvjit Singh said he saw the rashly driven Zen car going off the road and the driver trying to gain control over the vehicle by bringing it back on the road. “As we crossed the Zen car, within a few seconds, it hit the Chief Engineer's car,” said Sarvjit Singh.
One of the victims, Amanpreet Singh, said, “There was a huge bang and I found myself unable to move after that. Some persons pulled me out of the car and shifted me to the Kharar hospital.” He sustained injuries on his back and legs. He said they had gone to have snacks at a dhaba and were returning to the college when the incident took place.
Inspector Gursewak Singh, SHO of the Gharuan police station, said they were yet to record the statements of the injured. “The injured are not in a position to record their statements. The process will be initiated tomorrow,” said Inspector Gursewak Singh.
Killer stretch has claimed 10 lives
The deadly patch from Khanpur Chowk to Manikheri village has claimed 10 lives in the past 11 months. Records of the Mohali police reveal that 20 accidents have taken place since January 1, 2015. “The accidents have claimed the lives of 10 persons,” said Mohali SSP GS Bhullar. The main reason behind the increase in the number of accidents on this stretch was the presence of four educational institutions, including Chandigarh University. Students often flout traffic rules and cause accidents, admitted a faculty member of Chandigarh University.
MC sanctions Rs 1 lakh each as medical advance
The Municipal Corporation has sanctioned Rs 1 lakh each as medical advance for its three officials -- Chief Engineer Mukesh Anand, XEN Sham Lal and driver Murugan, who met with the accident. According to MC officials, the medical allowance would be adjusted on the submission of medical reimbursement claims by the three officials.
Chief Engineer, XEN suffer femur fracture
A spokesperson for the PGI said Chief Engineer Mukesh Anand and XEN Sham Lal had suffered femur fracture. Driver Murugan sustained injuries in the head and the chest. Three students -- Praveen, Harsimran and Kunal -- also suffered head injuries. All injured were conscious and stable, said the spokesperson.
After the mishap, four victims — three MC officials and a student, Harsimran — were shifted to the PGI while the remaining injured students were taken to the Kharar Civil Hospital. Later, two of them, Kunal and Parveen, were referred to the PGI by doctors.
Anand likely to be next UT Chief Engineer
As UT Chief Engineer SK Chadha is scheduled to retire on December 31, MC Chief Engineer Mukesh Anand is likely to be the new UT Chief Engineer. Sources said orders in this regard would soon be issued by the Chandigarh Administration.
