Another night, another tragic road accident in India’s treacherous mountain roads—this time, ten students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad were the unfortunate victims. Their vehicle lost control and tumbled into a 100-foot-deep gorge in Sikkim’s Mangan district while they were traveling from Lachung to Gangtok.
What Happened?
- The Journey Turns Fatal: The group of IIT Dhanbad students, including four women, were returning from a trip when their vehicle skidded off the road near Pakshep in Forest Dara around 9:30 PM.
- Driver Lost Control: Initial reports indicate that the driver, possibly struggling with difficult terrain and poor visibility, lost control of the vehicle.
- Survivors Speak: Those who made it out alive recall a moment of panic as the vehicle veered off the edge, plummeting down the steep slope.
The Aftermath: Students in Critical Condition
- Three students suffered serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Gangtok.
- Other injured students are being treated in a hospital in Mangan.
- The driver also sustained injuries and is under medical care.
A Pattern of Negligence
This accident is just one among many on India’s dangerous hilly roads. Sikkim’s highways, known for their sharp turns and unpredictable landslides, have claimed numerous lives before.
The bigger question is: Why do such incidents keep happening?
- Lack of road safety measures in mountainous regions.
- Reckless driving and overworked drivers on long routes.
- Poor maintenance of vehicles taking tourists and students to high-altitude areas.
What Needs to Change?
While the Indian government boasts of its infrastructure development, road safety in remote areas remains an afterthought. How many more accidents before we start demanding safer roads, stricter vehicle inspections, and trained drivers for such difficult routes?
This isn’t just an accident—it’s a symptom of systemic negligence.
Road Safety Must Be A Priority
If authorities don’t act now, more students, travelers, and innocent lives will continue to be lost in such tragedies. Tourist spots shouldn’t become death traps.
