Inferno on Ajmer highway after LPG truck collision near Dudu

Jaipur: A massive fire erupted on the Jaipur–Ajmer National Highway near Dudu late Tuesday night when a truck carrying chemicals rammed into a stationary truck laden with LPG cylinders shortly after 10pm. The incident triggered a series of explosions, turning the busy stretch into a wall of fire and chaos.

Four to five other trucks in the immediate vicinity of the crash were destroyed, said Jaipur IG Rahul Prakash. While confirmed casualty figures were not available, some people with injuries have been taken to a nearby hospital in Dudu.

The blasts were so powerful that the flames could be seen from far away, and the sound of explosions was heard in villages up to 15km away. Authorities were forced to shut down the traffic on both sides of the highway, resulting in massive jams extending for several kilometres. Dudu DSP Deepak Khandelwal stated that initial reports indicated a truck rammed into another truck carrying dozens of LPG cylinders near Mokhampura, leading to the explosions. "We have blocked access to the entire stretch and established a safety perimeter to prevent mishaps," he said.

Rescue and fire teams faced significant challenges as cylinders continued to detonate. "The heat was unbearable, and every few minutes another blast would erupt, forcing us to pull back," a fire officer reported. The presence of several refilling stations along the highway heightened the danger, prompting authorities to evacuate the immediate area as a precaution.

Eyewitnesses reported that the explosions set nearby grasslands ablaze and damaged vehicles stranded on the road. Locals noted that the window panes of eateries along the highway cracked under the impact. However, police did not confirm any casualties. "The residential areas are away from the accident site, but there are a lot of commercial activities like eateries, tyre shops, etc., nearby," another officer said.

The driver and cleaner of the ill-fated truck are missing, and the police are attempting to locate them. The accident has once again raised safety concerns on the Jaipur–Ajmer corridor, which has a heavy movement of fuel and gas carriers. In Dec 2024, 12 people were killed when an LPG tanker exploded after a collision on the same highway near Bhankrota.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on X: "The accident of a fire breaking out in a truck loaded with gas cylinders...is extremely tragic. Instructions have been given to the district administration to ensure proper treatment for the injured and to provide all possible assistance to those affected."