A tragic road accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district claimed the lives of three devotees and left 32 others injured on Friday(April10), when a tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims from Punjab overturned and fell into a deep gorge.
The accident occurred near Radha Swami Satsang Ghar near Dhaliyara along National Highway-503 at around 12:15 PM. The vehicle was reportedly en route from Chintpurni Temple to Jwalamukhi Temple after darshan when the driver lost control on the hilly stretch.
According to Mayank Chaudhary, Superintendent of Police (Dehra), police teams rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information and launched rescue operations with the help of local residents. The injured were promptly shifted to Civil Hospital, Dehra.
A total of 35 devotees were travelling in the tractor-trolley (Registration No. PB07-BR-4762), all of whom are residents of Punjab. Doctors at Dehra Hospital declared three individuals dead on arrival. Of the injured, 13 are currently undergoing treatment, while six critically injured persons have been referred to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (Tanda) for advanced care. Seven others are being treated at Dehra Hospital. Notably, nine children and several passengers escaped unhurt. Authorities have informed the families of the deceased and the injured
Police have registered a case at Dehra Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act. Preliminary investigations suggest that the use of a tractor-trolley for transporting passengers—prohibited under law—may have contributed to the severity of the accident. A detailed probe is underway to ascertain the exact cause.
The incident once again highlights the dangers of unsafe travel practices. Despite clear legal restrictions, many devotees from Punjab continue to undertake pilgrimages to Himachal Pradesh’s revered Shakti Peeths in tractor-trolleys, putting lives at risk.
In the wake of the accident, police have urged the public to strictly follow traffic regulations. They advised against overloading vehicles, emphasized adherence to speed limits—especially on hilly and winding roads—and warned against driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants. Authorities also stressed the importance of vehicle fitness checks, use of safety gear such as seat belts and helmets, and adequate rest during long journeys.
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