Kolkata: Seven persons died in Kolkata and Bhangar during Durga Puja between Oct 9 and Oct 13. Five of these six victims were bikers, the accidents taking place either in the morning or late in the night. Three of them did not wear helmets. This is the highest number of deaths since 2018.
The city witnessed 19 road accidents that left 22 persons injured – among them an 11-month-old child and a 65-year-old woman.
Bikes were involved in 16 of these accidents. The worst performing stretches were EM Bypass and Basanti Highway. “None of the accidents took place during normal traffic hours,” said an officer.
The most important accident during pujas was reported from Kasba when two bikers died while were racing against each other on Saptami around 2.24 am near EM Bypass close to Ruby crossing. The police said the deceased bikers were David Argha Bala (35) and Rudranil Ghosh (18). Saurav Das, who was riding pillion on David’s bike was injured.
A biker Najibul Haque (35) died when he collided with a three-wheeler on Basanti Highway. A pedestrian lost his life at Taratala Road. Biswajit Das (19) was killed at EM Bypass-Chitkalikapur crossing when he crashed into a median divider on Ashtami around 1.30 am. Bikram Das (36) was hit by a truck at Chowbaga crossing the same day around 6.20 pm. Joydip Das (23), a resident of Baranagar, died in an accident on the Bypass on Oct 12.