Rash driving rampage: Bhubaneswar’s alarming spike in chain accidents

A spate of road accidents in Bhubaneswar has reignited serious concerns over traffic safety and reckless driving on city roads. On Sunday, a concrete mixer vehicle triggered a chain of collisions on the busy Baramunda Flyover Bridge, leading to massive traffic congestion and panic among commuters.

Also Read: Drunk car driver causes series accidents near Unit 2 petrol pump in Bhubaneswar, 3 injured

The incident involved a concrete-laden truck from a private mill that rammed into two vehicles in quick succession, causing severe damage. Both cars were completely wrecked in the crash, though the drivers narrowly escaped with minor injuries.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the driver of the concrete mixer lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake, slamming into the two cars ahead. The collision disrupted traffic for several hours in the surrounding areas.

Khandagiri police reached the spot, seized the truck, and detained the driver. Preliminary investigations have pointed to negligence, though further inquiry is underway to ascertain whether mechanical failure or intoxication was a contributing factor.

No official statements have yet been received from the car owners or the local police on the matter.

Notably, this is not an isolated case. Earlier, on June 1, 2025, another series of accidents near the Unit-2 petrol pump in Bhubaneswar had left three people grievously injured.

That chain crash, involving multiple vehicles, began when a car rammed into an auto-rickshaw from behind. Initial reports suggested that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, setting off a cascade of collisions and widespread panic in the area.

The recurrence of such chain accidents within a short span has raised urgent questions about road discipline, vehicle safety checks, and stricter monitoring of reckless driving in the State Capital.