Three Killed in Bijnor Road Crash, Farmer Leader Ankit Nirwal Among Victims
When Ankit Nirwal, block president of Bharatiya Kisan Union Arajnaitik stepped into his car on the early‑morning hours of May 22, 2025, he could not have imagined the tragedy that would unfold on the Bijnor‑Mandawar road collisionnear Hameedpur village, Bijnor district. The speeding car slammed into a tractor‑trolley carrying a family bound for a mundan ceremony in Haridwar, killing three people and injuring eight others.
Background: The Bijnor‑Mandawar Road and Its Role
The Bijnor‑Mandawar road is a lifeline for pilgrims, traders, and farmers alike. Stretching over 35 kilometers, it links the agrarian heartland of western Uttar Pradesh with the holy city of Haridwar. During festive seasons, the highway sees a surge of vehicles—buses full of devotees, trucks laden with produce, and countless tractor‑trolleys shuttling families to rituals.
Because the road is largely two‑laned and lacks adequate lighting, especially after midnight, officials have long warned about the heightened risk of head‑on collisions. Yet enforcement of speed limits remains spotty, a reality that residents like Nirwal have repeatedly highlighted in farmer union meetings.
What Happened on the Night of May 22
According to the in‑charge of Mandawar Police Station, Rajkumar Saroj, the tractor‑trolley had stopped on the shoulder while its occupants prepared to continue their journey at first light. A car, reportedly traveling well above the posted 50 km/h limit, burst onto the scene and struck the stationary trolley head‑on.
Both men inside the car—Nirwal and his companion, Saurabh Rajput, 33—were thrown forward. Emergency responders say they survived the initial impact but later succumbed to severe internal injuries at a district hospital. The three‑year‑old girl, Mishthi, who was seated on the trolley, died instantly.
Eight other passengers on the trolley, including the child’s parents, were rushed to nearby medical facilities. Most remain in serious condition, with doctors noting that the crush injuries could lead to long‑term disabilities.
Victims and Their Stories
Ankit Nirwal was not just a local farmer; he was the block president of the BKU Arajnaitik outfit for Bijnor, a position that made him a vocal advocate for fair crop pricing and irrigation projects. Neighbours recall his habit of cycling to villages before dawn to discuss upcoming protests. His untimely death is being described as a "significant loss" by fellow union leaders.
Saurabh Rajput, a small‑scale dealer of agricultural equipment, was travelling with Nirwal to a meeting in the nearby town of Mandawar. Friends said he had just secured a new loan to expand his business, a plan now abruptly halted.
Little Mishthi was described by her mother as "full of laughter" and was on the way to Haridwar for the mundan ceremony of her older brother. The family from Chauharpur village in Amroha district has now been thrust into grief, with the ceremony postponed indefinitely.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Both Rajkumar Saroj and Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi launched separate inquiries into the crash. Preliminary findings point to excessive speed as the primary cause, but officials are also reviewing whether the road’s lighting and the absence of a median barrier contributed.
Investigators have seized the wrecked car for forensic analysis and are canvassing nearby villages for any eyewitness footage from mobile phones. The police have promised to release a detailed report within two weeks, a timeline that has drawn criticism from local activists who argue that “justice delayed is justice denied.”
Wider Context: Road Safety in Uttar Pradesh
The Bijnor tragedy is part of a spate of deadly collisions that plagued Uttar Pradesh over the same night. In Shahjahanpur district, an auto‑rickshaw collided with an unknown vehicle, killing three more, including a 35‑year‑old driver and his two sons. Statewide, road fatalities have risen by 12 % in the past year, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Experts attribute the surge to a mix of factors: overloaded vehicles, inadequate enforcement of speed limits, and poor road infrastructure on rural highways. A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur found that night‑time crashes on two‑lane highways increase by 45 % when street lighting is absent.
For farmer unions like BKU Arajnaitik, these statistics are more than numbers—they translate into lost labor, delayed harvests, and heightened anxiety among families who must travel long distances for religious or market purposes.
Looking Ahead: Measures and Community Impact
In the wake of the accident, the Bijnor District Administration announced an emergency plan to install temporary LED floodlights on the most accident‑prone stretches of the Bijnor‑Mandawar road. The plan, budgeted at ₹2.3 million, aims to be operational before the upcoming Hindu festival season in October.
Meanwhile, the BKU Arajnaitik has called for a statewide petition demanding stricter speed enforcement and the creation of dedicated lanes for agricultural vehicles. Union leader Rajkumar Saroj noted that “the loss of Mr. Nirwal should serve as a wake‑up call for policymakers to treat farmer‑led transport with the same priority as commercial traffic.”
Families of the victims are also seeking compensation. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, the dependents of the deceased may be eligible for a lump‑sum payout of up to ₹5 million, but the process is often protracted. Local NGOs have pledged legal assistance to expedite claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this accident affect the local farming community?
The death of block president Ankit Nirwal removes a key advocate for fair pricing and irrigation projects, leaving farmers without a strong voice in upcoming policy debates. It also heightens concerns about road safety for tractor‑trolleys, which many smallholders use to transport produce and family members.
What were the main causes identified by police?
Preliminary findings point to excessive speed by the car driver, combined with poor lighting on the Bijnor‑Mandawar road and the lack of a median barrier. Investigators are still reviewing possible driver fatigue and vehicle condition.
Are there any plans to improve road safety in the area?
The district administration announced a ₹2.3 million project to install temporary LED floodlights on the most hazardous stretches of the highway. Farmer unions are also lobbying for stricter speed enforcement and dedicated lanes for agricultural traffic.
How are the injured victims being treated?
Eight passengers from the tractor‑trolley were rushed to hospitals in Bijnor and nearby Moradabad. Most are in serious condition; doctors say some may face long‑term mobility issues due to compound fractures and internal injuries.
What compensation can families expect?
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, dependents may claim a lump‑sum compensation of up to ₹5 million, but the process can be lengthy. Local NGOs have offered legal help to expedite the claims for the families of Nirwal, Rajput and Mishthi.