BBMP sweeper dies after being hit by speeding van

A 55-year-old poura-karmika with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was killed in a road accident near Church Road in Shanthinagar. One of her legs was severed while the other was crushed after a Omni van ran over her.

The deceased, Gangamma (48), was a resident of Siddapura and stayed with her husband Venkataramana, also a civic worker, and four children. They are natives of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh. Their daughter is physically challenged.

On Thursday, around 12 noon, Gangamma and three other civic workers was sitting on the edge of the pavement after sweeping the streets near Church Road when the driver of a speeding Omni van failed to negotiate a turn and hit Gangamma. Due to the impact, one of Gangamma’s legs was severed while the other leg was crushed. She was immediately shifted to Bowring Hospital and the Ashok Nagar traffic police were informed, said the police.

In a critical condition, she was admitted to the ICU where she succumbed to her injuries on Friday noon. The Omni van has been seized and the driver has been detained, added the police. A case has been registered in Ashok Nagar traffic police station and investigation is being carried out.

The incident triggered an angry protests by many civic workers who demanded safety measures to discharge their duties.

Raj, a relative of the deceased, told DH, “Gangamma was sitting on the pavement with three others when the incident occurred. She sustained severe injuries while the others escaped unhurt. The authorities should take note of the risks involved in cleaning streets.”

A contractor with BBMP, who did not wish to be named, said, “Civic workers are often at a risk of being hit by vehicles. Road reflectors or mini barricades can be erected while cleaning the road to prevent such incidents. Palike must initiate quick safety measures to prevent further fatalities.”

Rs 5 lakh compensation

Learning about the incident, Mayor G Padmavathi and BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad visited Bowring Hospital where she was admitted after the accident. As an instant relief, Prasad announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family.

The owner of the vehicle and the garbage contractor under whom Gangamma was working agreed to pay her compensation, dues and insurance.