A massive 32-hour traffic jam on the Indore-Dewas Road turned tragic as three people died, including patients suffering from heart ailments and cancer, who were unable to reach medical help on time. The chaos has raised serious questions about traffic management and emergency preparedness.
Source Image:bhaskarenglish
What began as a routine traffic snarl on the busy Indore-Dewas highway turned into a deadly 32-hour standstill that claimed three lives, exposed serious administrative lapses, and left thousands stranded in scorching heat without water, food, or medical access.
The jam reportedly began due to construction bottlenecks, heavy vehicle breakdowns, and a lack of alternate routes, stretching for over 15 kilometers between Manglia and Dewas Bypass. Despite the gridlock worsening overnight, no immediate traffic diversion or emergency response was initiated for hours.
Victims of Delayed Response:
Tragically, three people died amid medical emergencies:
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A 60-year-old heart patient en route to a hospital in Indore suffered cardiac arrest.
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A 45-year-old woman battling cancer passed away after her oxygen support depleted in a halted ambulance.
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A young man with a history of seizures collapsed due to dehydration and lack of medication.
All three were inside vehicles stuck in traffic for hours, unable to move or access emergency medical help. Eyewitnesses said repeated calls to emergency helplines went unanswered or were redirected without support.
Cause of the Jam:
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Ongoing flyover and road widening works near Arjun Baroda junction
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Lack of proper signage and manpower for traffic redirection
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Unscheduled heavy vehicle movement and poor lane discipline
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Breakdowns of multiple trucks further choked the highway flow
Motorists reported being stuck in the same position for over 10 hours at a stretch. Many had to walk several kilometers to reach toilets or drinking water.
Voices From the Road:
“We had a patient with us. We kept calling for an escort or ambulance backup, but no one came for six hours,” said a resident from Ujjain stuck in the jam with his diabetic mother.
Local NGOs and volunteers eventually started distributing water bottles and dry food late at night.
Administration Under Fire:
The incident has sparked outrage, with opposition leaders and citizens blaming the district administration and highway authorities for negligence.
Senior traffic officials have now promised a review of construction timings, dedicated emergency lanes, and real-time monitoring to avoid future tragedies.
Key Highlights (Bullet Points):
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32-hour jam on Indore-Dewas highway leaves thousands stranded
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Three deaths reported due to lack of timely medical aid
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Triggered by construction, poor traffic management, and breakdowns
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Emergency response reportedly delayed or absent
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Probe ordered into cause and accountability
