Truck plunges into canal near Baghaana village

A major accident was narrowly averted near Baghaana village when a 22-wheeler truck skidded off the road and fell into Bist Doab Canal. The truck driver managed to escape through the windshield. He was rescued by passersby with ropes, avoiding any loss of life.

According to the driver, Vinod Kumar, he was ferrying stones from Garhshankar to Hoshiarpur when the incident occurred near Baghaana village. As he tried to give way to a truck coming from the opposite direction, the roadside embankment gave way due to soil erosion and the truck toppled into the canal.

The Bist Doab Canal had a strong current at the time, making it extremely difficult for the driver to get out of the truck. However, timely assistance from nearby villagers and commuters helped him get out safely from the truck.

The police rushed to the spot and collected information about the incident. The driver estimated a financial loss of nearly Rs 10 lakh due to the accident. The truck was later retrieved from the canal with the help of two cranes.

Local residents and village representatives expressed concerns about the lack of safety infrastructure along the newly constructed road running parallel to the canal. Balwinder Kumar, the sarpanch of Baghaana village, said although the road witnessed heavy traffic movement between Garhshankar and Adampur, no safety railings had been installed on the canal side.

He said safety railings exist from Adampur to Mehtiana, but the stretch leading towards Garhshankar remains unprotected. “Several accidents have already occurred here, but the government and the administration have taken no action in this regard,” Kumar said. He said a formal request was submitted to Member of Parliament Raj Kumar Chabbewal for the installation of railings, but no steps were taken to improve safety.