UP Minister Baby Rani Maurya Survives Expressway Crash After Truck Tyre Bursts

Uttar Pradesh Minister for Women Welfare and Child Development, Baby Rani Maurya, narrowly escaped a serious road accident on Friday night along the Agra-Lucknow Motorway, one of India's key infrastructure corridors spanning over 300 kilometres. The incident unfolded near the 56th kilometre marker in Firozabad district as Maurya was en route to Lucknow following official engagements in neighbouring Hathras. A truck ahead of her convoy suffered a sudden tyre burst, causing it to veer out of control and slam into her official vehicle. Thanks to the driver's swift manoeuvre, the collision was mitigated, though the car sustained extensive damage. Maurya emerged unscathed, but the episode highlighted vulnerabilities in highway safety amid ongoing traffic diversions that had funnelled vehicles from both directions into a single lane for maintenance work.

Police responded promptly to the scene, securing the area and impounding the errant truck for investigation. Maurya was swiftly transferred to a backup vehicle to continue her journey to the state capital, ensuring minimal disruption to her schedule. Officials confirmed no other injuries occurred, and initial reports point to the tyre failure as the primary cause, with no indications of foul play. The motorway, operational since 2016, has been a boon for connectivity between Agra and Lucknow but has faced criticism for occasional lapses in vehicle inspections and emergency response, particularly during peak hours or under construction-related constraints.

In the aftermath, Maurya directed authorities to enforce stricter safety protocols on the motorway, emphasising the urgency of enhanced monitoring, regular vehicle checks, and rapid incident response systems. "Such incidents underscore the need for proactive measures to protect lives on our vital roadways," she stated, urging a comprehensive review of protocols to prevent future mishaps.

This directive aligns with broader state initiatives under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to upgrade road infrastructure, including the installation of more surveillance cameras and dedicated patrol units. The minister's call could prompt immediate audits, potentially benefiting millions of daily commuters on this high-traffic artery.

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The close call comes amid a spate of road tragedies in Uttar Pradesh, including a fatal collision on Wednesday in Varanasi's Ramnagar area, where three individuals lost their lives in a motorcycle-truck crash near Tengra Mod around 12:30 p.m. Additional Commissioner of Police Atul Anjan inspected the site, confirming the victims' bodies were sent for post-mortem as legal proceedings commenced.

Such accidents, often linked to speeding, overloading, and poor road conditions, claim thousands of lives annually in India, prompting national campaigns for stricter enforcement. Maurya's survival serves as a stark reminder of the human cost, fuelling renewed advocacy for safer highways in a nation where road transport remains the backbone of mobility.

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