PRAYAGRAJ: Over the past fortnight, Prayagraj has witnessed a series of incidents that have left residents fearing for their safety—reckless driving on highways, tragic accidents during festivals, and aggressive stray dogs in residential colonies.
From joyous celebrations turning into tragedies to children and workers facing constant threats in their neighborhoods, the city is grappling with a mounting public safety crisis.
Highway Horrors: Festive Processions and Daily Commutes at Risk
During Durga Puja and Dussehra festivities, highways and main roads became scenes of devastation. On Thursday evening, near Mohammadpur Sarai Ali, villagers from Sultanpur Khas heading to the Sharda canal for Durga idol immersion rituals were struck by a car driven recklessly by a 15-year-old boy.
Dancing and singing in celebration, men, women, and children were suddenly caught in a deadly impact.
Victims included 20-year-old Sanjana, 15-year-old Pooja Patel, and 19-year-old Lalita Patel, all critically injured and rushed to Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital. Several others sustained injuries while fleeing the scene. Eyewitnesses reported that the car had previously been at a local service center for washing, and the underage driver had taken it out to check it, losing control in the process.
Elsewhere, fatal accidents occurred in quick succession:
- In Puramufti, 55-year-old Sanno was killed when a speeding motorcycle struck her while crossing the road.
- On the Sahson Bypass, three young men returning from a Dussehra fair were hit by an unknown vehicle. Two—18-year-old Anuj Bhartiya and 16-year-old Satyam Yadav—died, while another remains in critical condition.
- In Naini, 24-year-old Vikas Keserwani lost his life after colliding with a stationary truck near the railway underpass.
These tragedies highlight a pattern of overspeeding, underage driving, and weak traffic enforcement, particularly dangerous during festivals when public gatherings increase.
Ambedkar Vihar: Residents Living in Fear of Stray Dogs
Adding to the city’s woes, Ambedkar Vihar Colony, Chaupatka, has been gripped by fear as packs of aggressive stray dogs roam the streets. Children cannot play outside, parents escort their kids to school with sticks, and domestic workers, electricians, and security personnel have begun avoiding the area.
Over a dozen residents—including Neha Saxena (35), security guard Sunny (40), Sitaram Tripathi (83), Shikha Singh (35), Sachin Soni (46), and Monika (12)—have been attacked, some requiring medical attention. Attempts by municipal authorities to control the situation have been minimal, with only two dogs captured, leaving the remaining aggressive pack at large.
Compounding the danger, non-functional streetlights leave the colony in darkness after sunset. Residents report that stray dogs are more active and aggressive at night, targeting children, pedestrians, and two-wheeler riders. The combination of darkness and roaming packs has turned routine walks into life-threatening tasks.
Festival Dangers: Celebrations Turn Deadly
The combination of reckless driving, unlit streets, and festival crowds creates a perilous environment. In many instances, joyous celebrations such as Durga Puja processions and Dussehra fairs became scenes of trauma.
Residents recount anxious journeys to immerse idols or return from local fairs, only to encounter speeding vehicles and unprotected pathways.
Eyewitnesses describe chaotic scenes of children and adults fleeing from both vehicles and stray dogs, with medical emergencies arising almost daily. The overlapping threats illustrate the urgent need for coordinated civic safety measures, particularly during festive seasons.
The Intersection of Negligence, Infrastructure, and Risk
Prayagraj’s crises reveal systemic issues:
- Traffic regulation failures and underage driving put pedestrians and festival-goers at risk.
- Poor municipal management of stray animals leaves communities vulnerable.
- Inadequate street lighting and urban infrastructure exacerbate the dangers, especially at night.
Residents demand immediate action:
- Strict enforcement of traffic laws and monitoring of underage or reckless drivers.
- Civic measures for stray dog control, including sterilization, monitoring, and capture of aggressive animals.
- Restoration of streetlights to improve visibility and reduce nighttime hazards.
- Community awareness campaigns to educate residents about safety protocols.
Without such measures, Prayagraj faces a continued risk of preventable accidents and injuries, particularly among children, the elderly, and festival attendees.
Prayagraj Safety Statistics (Recent Years)
| Year | Road Accident Fatalities | Road Accident Injuries | Stray Dog Attack Cases | Festival-Related Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 | 345 | 48 | 21 |
| 2022 | 134 | 389 | 57 | 30 |
| 2023 | 121 | 402 | 63 | 28 |
| 2024 | 148 | 421 | 71 | 35 |
| 2025* | 75 (Jan–Oct) | 302 | 52 | 18 |
*Partial year data up to October 2025
These figures reflect a steady rise in injuries and fatalities, particularly during festivals and in areas with poor infrastructure and stray animal management.
A Call for Urgent Civic Action
Prayagraj’s residents now demand coordinated intervention from municipal authorities, traffic enforcement agencies, and civic planners. Safe streets, functional infrastructure, and regulated urban animal management are not optional—they are essential to prevent further loss of life.
Families, children, and daily commuters deserve to celebrate festivals, attend school, and commute safely without fear of accidents or animal attacks.
The overlapping threats of reckless driving, festival hazards, and stray dog attacks make it imperative for authorities to act decisively and immediately.
Prayagraj cannot afford to treat these incidents as isolated; they are a symptom of systemic negligence that requires an urgent and coordinated response.
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