Four individuals from Pune have died following a severe road accident on the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway in Karnataka’s Kolar district. The incident occurred when their SUV collided with a divider near Maragal village in Bangarpet taluk. Police reported that the driver lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve, leading to the crash.
SUV Rammed Divider, Overturned
The SUV rammed into the divider and overturned, with the vehicle reportedly dragged for over 200 meters. Three occupants were declared dead at the scene, while a fourth succumbed to injuries en route to the hospital. A fifth occupant, identified as Somanath Kolhe, aged 53, survived the crash but is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in critical condition. The deceased have been identified as Navaneeth Gaikwad (34), Pawar Vishwanath Digambar (34), Kiran (36), and Vishal (46).
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the occupants were en route from Pune to Tirupati. Preliminary investigations suggest that driver fatigue, potentially from a long journey, may have contributed to the accident. Kolar Superintendent of Police Shivanshu Rajput, who visited the accident site, has appealed to motorists to adhere to safe speed limits and take regular breaks during extended journeys.
Concerns Over Expressway Safety
The Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, which opened to the public in March 2025, has become a site of concern due to a spate of accidents. Reports indicate that the stretch between Kolathur and Bethamangala in Kolar district has witnessed over a dozen major accidents, resulting in nearly 30 fatalities. This has prompted authorities to issue directives aimed at curbing overspeeding and reckless driving.
In response to the rising accident rate, police have implemented measures such as installing speed limit signboards and utilizing radar guns to detect and penalize motorists for exceeding the stipulated speeds of 120 kmph for cars and 100 kmph for heavy transport vehicles. Despite these efforts, violations of speed limits continue to be a significant factor in crashes on the expressway.
This accident follows another fatal incident on the same expressway approximately two weeks prior, where four individuals from Mysuru lost their lives. That accident was also attributed to driver fatigue.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
