A 21-year-old Gulshan Dwivedi, who was on a foot pilgrimage from Markundi in UP to Maihar, was crushed by a speeding truck at a black spot on the Satna-Chitrakoot road. Four cows also died in the accident, casting a pall of gloom over the devotees.
Satna: Early Wednesday morning, an accident on the Satna-Chitrakoot road brought sorrow to a group of devotees immersed in the devotion and faith of Navratri. 21-year-old Gulshan Dwivedi, who was on a foot pilgrimage from Markundi in Uttar Pradesh to Sharda Dham Maihar, died after being hit by a speeding truck. Four cows also perished in the accident. The incident occurred in front of Pashupatinath Dham in the Civil Line police station area, which is already declared a black spot.
Road Accident on Satna-Chitrakoot Road
According to information, the negligence of the truck driver led to this tragic incident. First, the truck crushed four cows sitting on the road and then hit Gulshan. The collision was so severe that Gulshan and all the cows died on the spot. This incident caused fear and shock among the devotees on foot pilgrimage.
Eyewitnesses stated that this stretch of the road has already been declared a black spot. Thousands of devotees pass through this route during Navratri. High-speed vehicles and the lack of a safe path make this area prone to accidents.
Gulshan's Navratri Foot Pilgrimage and Tragic Death
For the past ten years, Gulshan had been undertaking the foot pilgrimage from Markundi to Maihar during Navratri with his family and village companions. This time too, a group of about thirty devotees set out for Maihar on September 22. Early Wednesday morning, around 4 AM, Gulshan, for some reason, fell behind his companions and was then hit by the truck.
Gulshan's uncle, Vinay Dwivedi, informed that the entire family had set out to seek blessings from Maa Sharda, as they did every year. This accident is extremely tragic and unbearable for the family. Gulshan was only 21 years old and undertook this long journey every year out of his faith and tradition.
Accident at a Black Spot
The area in front of Pashupatinath Dham is already considered sensitive to road accidents. During Navratri, the combination of heavy traffic and foot pilgrims increases the likelihood of accidents. This incident has once again highlighted the importance of road safety and the dangers of high-speed vehicles.
Local residents and devotees say that the administration needs to pay special attention to this black spot. Safety measures such as warning signs, pedestrian lanes, and vehicle speed control systems should be implemented immediately.
Grief Among Devotees and Demand for Safety
After the accident, an atmosphere of fear and anger spread among the devotees. People are demanding strict action against violations of road safety and traffic rules. The local administration has initiated an investigation into the incident and is trying to determine the truck driver's responsibility.
This tragedy, occurring during a festival of faith and devotion, sends a message that vigilance at both administrative and civic levels is essential for the safety of devotees. To prevent such incidents in the future, road improvements, vehicle control, and increased vigilance are necessary.
