Two cousins killed as speeding car hits scooty on Biju Expressway in Kalahandi; locals block road

Two cousins were killed in a tragic road accident after a four-wheeler rammed into their scooty near KBD Square on the Biju Expressway at Dharamgarh in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Monday morning. The incident triggered tension in the area, with irate locals staging a road blockade and disrupting traffic on the busy stretch.

According to reports, the accident occurred at around 8.30 am when the two were returning home after buying vegetables and were crossing the road. A four-wheeler, reportedly moving at high speed, hit the scooty, leading to the fatal mishap.

The deceased have been identified as Lalit Tandi and Lingaraj Durga. Lingaraj Durga died on the spot, while Lalit Tandi was initially rushed to Dharamgarh hospital and later shifted to Bhawanipatna hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, sources said.

Vehicle Thrown 30 Metres, Occupants Detained

The impact of the collision was severe, with the scooter reportedly being thrown nearly 30 metres from the point of impact. The four-wheeler involved in the accident was carrying two persons, including the driver.

Following the incident, local shopkeepers detained the occupants of the vehicle until police personnel reached the spot and took charge of the situation.

Road Blockade Raises Safety Concerns

The accident sparked strong protests by local residents, who blocked the Biju Expressway at the accident site, leading to traffic disruption for a considerable period. A brief face-off between police and protesters was reported, though the situation was later brought under control.

Residents reiterated long-standing safety concerns, claiming that the stretch of the expressway has become accident-prone due to the absence of traffic signals. Locals have been demanding the installation of traffic lights at the junction for a long time to prevent accidents.

Police said an investigation into the incident is underway, and further action will be taken based on the findings.