A tragic road accident on the Sherpura-Kansari road in Disa taluka of Banaskantha district claimed the life of a 22-year-old pregnant woman on Wednesday evening, March 20, 2024. The accident, involving a rickshaw and a motorcycle, has raised urgent concerns about road safety enforcement in the region.
What Happened
The collision occurred near the Sai Cold Storage facility along the Sherpura-Kansari road at approximately 6:30 pm. A rickshaw (registration number GJ-08-Z-4561) carrying seven passengers was struck by a motorcycle (registration GJ-08-CF-7514) driven by 27-year-old Dhavalsinh Punamsinh Rajput. According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary police reports, Dhavalsinh was driving at a high speed and lost control, colliding into the rickshaw from the driver’s side.
The rickshaw was transporting local residents, including Anitaben Vinodbhai, who was five months pregnant. She sustained severe injuries to her face and torso. Despite immediate medical attention at the Iskcon ICU in Disa, Anitaben was declared deceased upon arrival. The other six passengers—Mebabhai Kanaji, Lasuben Mebabhai, Maniben Hamirbhai, Poojaben Nagjibhai, Hanshaben Nagjibhai, and Vinodbhai—suffered minor injuries. Among them, Poojaben is receiving ongoing treatment in the ICU due to complications.
The motorcycle rider Dhavalsinh was also injured and admitted to a hospital in Palanpur. Vinodbhai, husband of the deceased, has formally filed a complaint at the Disa police station accusing Dhavalsinh of reckless driving and causing death by negligence. The police have registered an FIR and are conducting further investigations into the incident.
Why This Accident Matters for Gujarat
Banaskantha district, situated in northern Gujarat, has witnessed a rising trend of road accidents over the past five years, particularly on rural roads such as the Sherpura-Kansari route which connects several small villages. This accident underscores the vulnerability of the region’s road infrastructure and the need for stringent traffic regulation enforcement.
Local residents have voiced concerns over increasing traffic violations including overspeeding and disregard for safety norms. The loss of a young pregnant woman not only brings profound grief to the family but also highlights public safety as a critical area for government intervention in Gujarat’s rural districts.
Community leaders from Sherpura and neighboring villages have called for improved road signage, speed breakers, and regular patrolling by the Banaskantha traffic police. The incident has also drawn attention to the challenges faced by pregnant women and vulnerable passengers relying on informal transport modes such as shared rickshaws.
Similar tragic incidents have occurred in Gujarat recently, including the death of a pregnant woman near Ahmedabad and a young man on the Vav-Suigam road, stressing the statewide urgency for comprehensive road safety measures.
Background and Context
Banaskantha district is predominantly agrarian, with Sherpura village relying on wheat, cumin, millet, cotton cultivation, and animal husbandry. The district’s rural roads often see mixed traffic including agricultural vehicles, two-wheelers, and passenger rickshaws, frequently without formal traffic controls.
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and local panchayats have been working to improve transport facilities, but enforcement remains challenging. The district administration has periodically conducted road safety awareness campaigns, yet accidents involving reckless driving remain a persistent problem.
Furthermore, the availability of emergency healthcare facilities in Disa taluka, such as the Iskcon Hospital, help address immediate trauma care but cannot fully mitigate fatalities resulting from severe accidents.
Key Numbers and Data
- According to the Gujarat State Police, Banaskantha district reported 1,250 road accidents in 2023, resulting in 320 fatalities and over 1,100 injuries.
- Two-wheeler and rickshaw collisions account for approximately 35% of accidents in the district.
- In 2023, the Disa police station registered 150 cases of reckless driving and overspeeding.
- The district’s population is approximately 3.12 million, with a majority residing in rural areas reliant on local road transport.
- Banaskantha ranks among the top 10 districts in Gujarat for road accident fatalities according to the Gujarat Traffic Police annual report.
What Comes Next
The Disa police have intensified patrols and have announced plans to increase checkpoints along rural roads. District Collector Mr. R.K. Patel has urged the Traffic Department to collaborate with the local panchayats for awareness drives targeting safe driving habits.
Legal proceedings against the motorcycle rider Dhavalsinh Punamsinh Rajput are ongoing under sections 304A (causing death by negligence) and 279 (rash driving) of the Indian Penal Code. The case highlights the need for stricter enforcement and possibly harsher penalties for traffic violations in rural Gujarat.
Banaskantha’s Public Works Department (PWD) is also reviewing road safety infrastructure on the Sherpura-Kansari route, considering installation of speed breakers and reflective signage in high-risk zones.
The community has organized support for Anitaben’s family, including financial aid and counseling services, demonstrating local solidarity in the face of tragedy.
For residents traveling in Banaskantha and surrounding districts, authorities recommend adhering strictly to speed limits, using helmets and seat belts, and reporting reckless driving to local police immediately.
Readers can learn more about similar incidents and road safety measures from the following related reports: Tragic Accident Claims Life of Labourer in Disa and Tragic Accident on Theravada to Javal Road Claims Biker’s Life.
Official Resources
For more information on road safety and to report traffic violations in Banaskantha district, contact the Disa Police Station at +91 2704 222 123 or visit the Gujarat Police official website at gps.gujarat.gov.in. The Gujarat State Road Safety Cell also provides helpline services at 1095 for emergency assistance and guidance on traffic rules.