The Unanswered Question: How Did Nine Vehicles Catch Fire on the Yamuna Expressway?
Agra: Accidents are not uncommon on the Yamuna Expressway, but how nine vehicles caught fire simultaneously remains a troubling and unresolved question—even a day after the flames were extinguished.
This lingering mystery continues to trouble authorities and investigators alike. On Wednesday, a team from the Indian Road Traffic Institute arrived at the site to examine the circumstances surrounding the blaze, but even they could not immediately provide clear answers.
Members of the 11-member investigation team stated that while collisions on expressways are frequent, a fire of this magnitude involving so many vehicles is highly unusual and warrants detailed examination.
They emphasized that the investigation has only just begun and that conclusions will emerge once all aspects are thoroughly analyzed.
Chain Collision Led to a Massive Inferno
On the first day of the investigation, officials reconstructed the sequence of events that led to what has now been termed the biggest accident in the history of the Yamuna Expressway.
According to preliminary findings, a Maruti Swift car traveling from Kanpur to Vrindavan collided with a bus, after which multiple vehicles began crashing into one another in quick succession.
The Swift reportedly went out of control following the initial impact. Around the same time, a Brezza car was hit from behind by another vehicle, which sped away.
The occupants of the Brezza had barely stepped out of their car when another vehicle rammed into it from behind.
As they exited that vehicle as well, a sleeper coach bus crashed into the already stationary vehicles.
With visibility reduced to near zero due to dense fog, buses and other vehicles continued to pile up one after another.
A sleeper coach bus—believed to have collided with the Brezza—caught fire, and within minutes, the flames spread rapidly to nearby vehicles.
One after another, vehicles were engulfed, turning into heaps of ashes within a short span of time.
What Caused the Fire?
There is widespread speculation that a CNG cylinder in one of the cars involved may have exploded, triggering the blaze.
However, no official confirmation has been made so far. Investigators are also examining other possibilities, including engine overheating, leakage of inflammable substances, or flammable materials being carried as luggage.
It is common for passengers in sleeper AC buses to carry a variety of luggage. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that some combustible item stored in the bus may have intensified or initiated the fire.
Witnesses Heard a Loud Explosion
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a massive explosion just before the fire erupted—so loud that it felt like a bomb blast.
Experts believe such a powerful blast could result from the explosion of a fuel tank.
Whether the tank contained gas or diesel remains to be determined and will only be clarified after forensic examination. Other possible causes include overheated tyres or electrical sparking in the air-conditioning systems of the buses.
A Similar Tragedy in the Past
A comparable incident occurred in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, on October 24, when a Volvo bus collided with a motorcycle and was instantly engulfed in flames, killing more than ten people.
While both incidents share similarities, the scale of destruction on the Yamuna Expressway was far greater.
In the Andhra Pradesh case, only two vehicles were involved, whereas here, a large number of vehicles burned simultaneously. The death toll in the Yamuna Expressway tragedy has now risen to 18.
“Too Early to Draw Conclusions,” Says IRTE
The accident is currently under investigation by the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), Faridabad.
The 11-member team conducted a detailed inspection of the site on Wednesday. Dr. Shruti Gupta, Head of the Forensic Science Department at IRTE, said it would be premature to speculate on the causes of the fire at this stage.
“We will speak to eyewitnesses, drivers, and victims.
Fires can occur due to several reasons, sometimes even from overheated tyres. In AC buses, short circuits are also a common cause. A proper investigation will take time,” she said.
Early-Morning Drowsiness: The Deadliest Threat on the Expressway
Agra: The Yamuna Expressway’s tragic history is no stranger to deadly accidents caused by driver fatigue.
The horrifying bus accident near Jharna Nala still haunts public memory. On July 8, 2019, a Janrath bus traveling from Lucknow to Delhi plunged into a drain after the driver reportedly dozed off, killing 29 passengers.
High-level inquiries were ordered, strict advisories were issued, and multiple reports were submitted—but little seems to have changed on the ground.
Data obtained from YEIDA under the Right to Information Act paints a grim picture. According to the figures, 44.2 percent of accidents on the Yamuna Expressway are caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel, while 17.94 percent are due to overspeeding.
Most fatigue-related accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m., with the period between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. identified as the most dangerous. In conditions of dense fog or zero visibility, the risk multiplies significantly.
RTI activist K.C. Jain pointed out a critical gap in national accident data collection. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways compiles and publishes nationwide accident data annually, but its format does not even include “driver drowsiness” as a listed cause of road accidents.
As a result, no systematic data is maintained on whether an accident occurred due to fatigue or sleep deprivation while driving.
Experts argue that since drowsiness has emerged as the leading cause of accidents on the Yamuna Expressway, it should form the cornerstone of any effective road safety policy.
Restricting late-night vehicle movement, running awareness campaigns for drivers and vehicle owners, and regulating maximum continuous driving hours are essential steps to prevent such tragedies.
Special Arrangements Needed for Drivers’ Food and Rest
Fatigue caused by long, uninterrupted driving hours remains the biggest reason behind drivers falling asleep at the wheel. Despite years of discussion, no effective solution has been implemented.
While public convenience centers exist near toll plazas on the Yamuna Expressway, their expensive food options make them impractical for heavy vehicle drivers.
As a result, drivers often stop at small roadside hotels and dhabas outside the expressway railing, forcing them to park vehicles unsafely—leading to rear-end collisions.
There has long been a demand for designated rest areas every 40–50 kilometers, equipped with washrooms and dormitories, so drivers can rest safely.
Experts also stress the need for authorized parking zones for trucks to prevent accidents caused by improper roadside parking.
Under the proposed Driver Wellness Scheme, it has been suggested that “Driver Wellness Zones” be set up every 50 kilometers.
These zones would offer free dormitory facilities for overnight rest, tea for ₹5, and meals for ₹20. Such measures could significantly reduce accident rates.
Why Does YEIDA Fail to Learn from Data?
Data analysis can help eliminate many systemic problems. While the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has been using data-driven approaches to reduce accidents on the Agra–Lucknow Expressway, the Yamuna Expressway tells a different story.
YEIDA’s approach toward safety on this stretch appears indifferent.
There is no real-time accident database, no systematic analysis of traffic flow, timing, location, causes, or rescue response times. Monthly accident and response dashboards are not maintained, nor is there scientific documentation of accident sites.
The location where 14 vehicles collided on Tuesday was already identified as a black spot, yet no special arrangements or warning signage were visible.
Many other black spots on the expressway continue to suffer from similar neglect and poor infrastructure.
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