Ahmedabad: An open pit near Sheetal Cinema in Gomtipur led to two separate accidents within minutes late on Oct 8. A motorcyclist suffered a fractured hand and was admitted to Civil Hospital, while an Activa rider sustained minor injuries. The pit had reportedly been dug for a water line in the BRTS corridor. A former councillor alleged that the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s negligence in failing to install proper barricades or warning signs led to these accidents.
He was initially taken to Shardaben Hospital in a 108 ambulance but was later referred to Civil Hospital for further treatment. As a result, two two-wheeler riders met with accidents. The first accident occurred around 1am when motorcyclist Rajubhai Damor was travelling through the corridor and crashed into the pit. An Activa rider following him fell into the same pit shortly afterwards. Damor, who works at the Police Headquarters in Shahibaug and is a native of Od village near Shamlaji, suffered a hand injury in the accident. He was admitted after doctors diagnosed a fracture in his hand. Former Gomtipur ward councillor Iqbal Shaikh alleged, “The pit was dug eight days ago, but no proper barricading or warning sign was installed. The service roads alongside the corridor are in poor condition, forcing commuters to use the BRTS corridor. Despite repeated representations to officials, including the additional city engineer, proper barricading was not put in place. The accident could have been avoided if timely safety measures had been taken.”
