Gwalior Temple Tragedy: Questions have emerged over how a truck loaded with paddy managed to bypass police barricades and enter a restricted route before crashing into a crowd of devotees near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior. The incident occurred during the Sharadiya Navratri fair, killing 15 deaths and leaving 33 others injured.

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Google Maps Led Truck To Restricted Route?

According to a report by Jagran.com, the truck was coming from Dabra Mandi. As the driver was unfamiliar with the area, police suspect he relied on Google Maps to find a shorter route. The app directed the truck onto Chhinor Road, a steep slope closed to heavy commercial traffic. As the vehicle descended the slope, its brakes reportedly failed, crashing into barricades and roadside shops before hitting the temple'sentrance gate and bringing down a wall.

"Since these drivers were from outside, they probably checked the location on Google Maps and chose a shorter route and were coming via that. Before the temple, the brakes failed, and this accident occurred," Gwalior CSP Ravi Bhadoria was quoted as saying.

Police officials stated that Chhinor Road was never designated for heavy traffic, and that physical barricades, checkpoints, and parking zones were set up across the approach roads. Investigators are examining how the commercial truck passed through checkpoints during the festival, which draws thousands of pilgrims.

Police stated that whether Google Maps led the driver onto this path will be confirmed after the investigation is completed.

CSP Removed, 8 Police Personnel Suspended

Following the tragedy, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav ordered immediate action against officers on duty. Area CSP Ravi Bhadoria was removed from his post, and eight police personnel, including three station house officers (SHOs), were suspended.

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Chief Minister Yadav stated that negligence in the safety of pilgrims will not be tolerated and that responsible personnel will be held accountable.

Both the truck driver and vehicle owner have been detained, while Regional Transport Office (RTO) technical teams have been directed to examine the truck.