Techie dies after bus rams her scooty on New Town road
Times of India | 5 September 2025
Kolkata: A 40-year-old techie died on Thursday morning after a speeding AC govt bus rammed into her scooty close to Biswa Bangla Gate in New Town. The victim, Bansuri Kundu Pal, died on the spot after sustaining severe head injuries.
The accident took place around 10.45 am when Pal was on her way to work. She was driving along the Narkelbagan-bound flank and took a U-turn to the airport-bound flank when the bus hit her from behind. Though she was wearing a helmet, investigators suspect it was not strapped properly. The bus driver was arrested and the vehicle was seized. Police said the bus, which was empty at the time of the accident, was headed to a charging station in New Town.
Pal, a resident of Narayanpur in New Town Action Area II, was living there for the past 17 years with her husband, Mrinal Chandra Pal, and their 13-year-old son. Originally from Bankura, she was working at a tech firm in New Town for the past 15 years. Her husband is also an IT professional employed at the same company.
"I left home early for a meeting. It was a little before noon when policemen called and told me about the accident.
I rushed to Bidhannagar Subdivisional Hospital, where she was taken. She was a safe rider and regularly commuted on this route for years. The police must investigate thoroughly and take action against the driver," said Mrinal.
Police said preliminary investigation suggested negligence on the part of the bus driver, but they were checking the CCTV footage to see if Pal was negligent while changing lanes.
Pal's death has triggered outrage among New Town residents, many of whom said traffic management near Biswa Bangla Gate is inadequate despite heavy vehicle and pedestrian movement. Resident associations demanded more speed checks and enforcement of lane discipline in the area.