Jaipur LPG Tanker Explosion

Massive Explosion on Bhankrota Highway: LPG Tanker Ignites Blaze, Claims 11 Lives, Leaves More Than 40 Hospitalized

Jaipur, Rajasthan - December 20: Tragedy struck Bhankrota Highway near Jaipur in the early hours of December 20, marking the day as a dark one in Rajasthan’s history. At approximately 5:30 AM, a Bharat Petroleum LPG tanker collided with a truck on the Ajmer-bound highway. The impact caused the tanker’s nozzle to rupture, leading to a rapid gas leak. What began as a gas leak escalated into a catastrophic fire, engulfing over 40 vehicles in its path.

Eyewitnesses reported that passengers in many vehicles were trapped and burned alive. A passenger bus traveling from Rajsamand to Jaipur also fell victim to the blaze. The fire spread over several kilometers, destroying not just vehicles but also reducing hundreds of trees to ashes. Many birds died in the explosion.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, and over 50 injured individuals were admitted to Jaipur's SMS Hospital. Rajasthan's Health Minister, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, stated that 20 of the injured suffered burns covering more than 50% of their bodies. So far, 11 fatalities have been confirmed, while authorities continue to recover bodies from charred vehicles. Several remains were so severely burned that identification may prove challenging.

Officials from Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) promptly arrived to assess the nearby gas pipeline, which runs alongside the highway. Although no fire was reported in the pipeline, the officials revealed that the tanker carried 18 tons of LPG, exacerbating the severity of the incident.

In light of the tragedy, Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George announced traffic diversions across several key routes. Vehicles coming from Ajmer are being redirected via the Ring Road to ensure public safety.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited both the accident site and SMS Hospital to meet the victims. He assured the public of a high-level inquiry into the incident and stressed the need for stricter safety measures during the transportation of hazardous materials. “This tragedy is a grim reminder of the lapses in safety protocols,” Sharma stated.

The incident has raised pressing questions about accountability. Authorities have been urged to implement stricter regulations and ensure better safety compliance to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As Rajasthan mourns this devastating loss, the incident underscores the urgent need for reform in the transportation of hazardous materials and enhanced safety protocols on the nation’s highways.

By: Bhavna Sharma