Bengaluru: A 26-year-old woman tragically lost her life on Friday after a bike accident on the Huskur-APMC road near Madanayakanahalli, a stretch notorious for potholes and poor maintenance. The incident occurred when the bike she was riding on skidded while attempting to avoid a large crater, highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety and civic negligence in the area.

The deceased, identified as Priyanka, was riding pillion with her brother, who was driving the bike toward Madavara when the accident occurred. According to Madanayakanahalli police inspector N Muralidhar, the duo encountered a sizable pothole on the road, prompting her brother to swerve the bike to avoid it. The maneuver caused him to lose control, and both riders fell onto the road. Tragically, Priyanka came under the wheels of a passing canter lorry, sustaining severe head injuries that proved fatal at the scene.

“The accident occurred at around 1 pm while commuters were trying to avoid a pothole,” Inspector Muralidhar said. “A case has been registered, and our investigation is ongoing.” Police personnel swiftly reached the scene, managing the traffic jam that had accumulated due to the accident, and Priyanka’s body was later taken to Nelamangala Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Local residents have voiced strong criticism of civic authorities, holding them responsible for the fatal conditions of the road. BN Srinivas, a nearby resident, stated, “This road has been dug up for months and not repaired properly. Every day, commuters risk their lives.” He emphasized that repeated complaints to the authorities have gone unheeded, leaving dangerous stretches exposed to the public.

The Huskur-APMC road has been under prolonged construction and maintenance work, but the incomplete and uneven surface has made it particularly hazardous for two-wheelers. Citizens’ groups have urged the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Public Works Department (PWD) to take urgent corrective measures, warning that further delays could result in additional casualties.

The canter lorry driver involved in the accident has been taken into police custody for questioning, and officials are examining the circumstances leading up to the collision. Authorities have appealed to commuters to exercise extreme caution when traveling along the stretch until the road is properly repaired.

This tragic incident underscores the persistent problem of poorly maintained roads in Bengaluru and the urgent need for timely civic interventions to prevent avoidable accidents. Residents continue to demand accountability and immediate action from the BBMP and PWD to ensure public safety on critical roadways.