A diesel tanker overturned on Jessore Road near Bangkhra in the Airport area on Thursday morning, spilling fuel across both lanes, causing several bike and scooter riders to skid and creating a two-hour traffic disruption during office hours.
The tanker was travelling from Kolkata towards Barasat when its front wheel suddenly burst near Bangkhra. The driver lost control and the vehicle overturned on the central divider, resulting in diesel flowing onto both sides of the road. The accident took place at around 8 am, according to office commuters cited in the report.
The driver became trapped inside the vehicle after the crash. Traffic police personnel working in the Airport area reached the location and rescued him. He was taken to RG Kar Hospital for treatment. The police also alerted the fire brigade because overturned fuel tankers can create a risk of fire while fuel is leaking.
Both lanes of Jessore Road were temporarily closed after the tanker overturned. The vehicle was later lifted and removed with the help of a crane. Traffic police spread a thick layer of sand over the diesel on the road to reduce the risk of further skidding and allow vehicles to move again.
However, two-wheelers continued to lose control even after traffic resumed. Several bike and scooter riders fell on the fuel-covered surface, and some sustained injuries. The spill therefore created a continuing road-safety hazard beyond the initial collision, affecting commuters who were using the route during the morning peak.
The incident caused severe congestion on Jessore Road, with commuters reporting that the disruption lasted for about two hours. Traffic conditions became normal after around 10.30 am, after the tanker was removed and the spilled diesel was covered with sand. The supplied report did not provide the names of the injured two-wheeler riders or details of their medical condition.
