Sat Dec 21 09:57:28 UTC 2024: **Jaipur Tanker Blast Site Remains Hazardous 24 Hours Later: Experts Highlight Design Flaws**

JAIPUR, INDIA – Twenty-four hours after a deadly LPG tanker explosion in Jaipur, the accident site remains a dangerous traffic hazard, according to a report by the Dainik Bhaskar newspaper. Experts are criticizing the road design, citing numerous flaws that contributed to the accident and continue to pose a risk.

A road safety expert, Dr. Prerna Arora, visited the site on Saturday morning, the same time the initial accident occurred, and found significant engineering deficiencies. The expert noted the dangerous U-turns taken by trucks and tankers, highlighting a lack of sufficient space, particularly for large vehicles like tankers and containers which block both lanes when turning. The abrupt road cut on the highway was deemed unnecessary, with Dr. Arora suggesting that a curve on the ring road could have better accommodated traffic flow.

Further concerns included the lack of adequate lighting, reflective markers, and signage at the intersection, making it difficult for drivers, especially those unfamiliar with the area, to see the turn ahead, particularly at night or during low-visibility conditions. The absence of warning signs is particularly alarming given the proximity of schools and a petrol pump.

Dr. Arora warned that without immediate improvements, further accidents are inevitable. Local reports suggest that despite the presence of police officers, their primary focus is facilitating the passage of VIPs rather than ensuring road safety for all.

The accident, which occurred on Friday, has already claimed 14 lives, with two more deaths reported on Saturday. The initial blast resulted in five immediate fatalities, and nine more succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The gruesome aftermath included bodies that were severely dismembered, highlighting the intensity of the explosion. The investigation continues, with authorities yet to fully address the concerns raised about the dangerous conditions at the accident site.

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