High-Speed Car Hits Husband of Cyclist on SG Highway; Victim Recounts Tragic Incident

The SG Highway in Ahmedabad has been plagued by consecutive accidents, almost earning the title of “Highway of Accidents.” On the early morning of November 23, a cyclist group met with an accident. Two doctor members of the group riding over the Sola High Court Bridge were hit hard from behind by an unidentified dark blue and blackish car with a GJ 18 number plate. The collision injured both doctors, with one female doctor suffering serious injuries. The speeding car was captured on the bridge’s CCTV camera, installed for monitoring speed limits. However, the car’s license plate remains unclear, and the driver has yet to be apprehended.

Victim’s Account: Reckless Driver Overtakes Cyclists

To understand the incident in detail, Divya Bhaskar reached the residence of Dr. Anish Tiwari, one of the injured cyclists. He revealed that the speeding car overtook his wife and another cyclist recklessly before hitting him. Dr. Tiwari’s wife had remarked to another cyclist, “If they drive like this, they won’t just harm themselves but others too.” Shortly after, the same car struck Dr. Tiwari.

“We Go Cycling Every Saturday”: Dr. Anish Tiwari

In an exclusive conversation with Divya Bhaskar, Dr. Anish Tiwari shared that since 2017, their group of 12–15 members has cycled every Saturday morning, covering around 55–60 kilometers. Although not all members can attend every week due to work or other commitments, at least 8–10 members ensure their participation.

“I Was Flung About 12 Feet on the Road”

Recalling the accident, Dr. Tiwari stated that their group had planned to cycle from Vaishnodevi Circle to Vadsar last Saturday. At around 6:20–6:25 AM, while crossing the Sola High Court Bridge, a speeding car hit him and his friend, Dr. Krishnaben Shukla. The impact was so severe that he was flung approximately 12 feet onto the road. Other cyclists were behind them, while Dr. Ashish Shah, an orthopedic surgeon, was ahead of them.

“We Didn’t Realize What Happened to Us”

Dr. Tiwari added that, despite being conscious, he saw Dr. Krishnaben Shukla lying on the road with severe injuries. She had even stopped breathing for 10–15 seconds. Acting quickly, he removed her helmet and stabilized her head. Meanwhile, passersby informed him that a car had hit them and fled. Two motorists offered to take them to the hospital.

“Krishnaben Suggested Changing the Route Next Week”

Even after regaining consciousness, Dr. Krishnaben Shukla, who was severely injured, insisted that they choose a different route for their next cycling session. Despite the grave accident, the group remains determined to continue their rides, planning to return to cycling once fully recovered.

“The Same Car Passed Close to My Wife”

Dr. Tiwari further shared that the car responsible for the accident had briefly stopped on Zydus Road to place something in its trunk before speeding away. His wife, Dr. Reena Tiwari, witnessed the car speeding past her and commented on its recklessness before it hit her husband.

“Cycling on Roads Is Risky Now”

Dr. Tiwari noted that cycling on city roads has become increasingly dangerous. Members of their group have often faced accidents, and Ahmedabad has over 3,500 cyclists, many of whom have encountered mishaps due to bad roads or reckless drivers. Accidents on SG Highway have significantly increased recently.

Driver Still at Large

Despite CCTV footage capturing the incident, the driver remains unidentified. Dr. Reena Tiwari could only note “GJ 18” on the license plate, and the rest of the number is unclear. The police are yet to take action.

Need for Separate Cycling Tracks

As cycling gains popularity for its health and environmental benefits, there is a growing demand for dedicated cycling tracks. However, questions remain about whether these tracks will remain exclusive to cyclists. Similar to the misuse of Ahmedabad’s BRTS lanes by unauthorized vehicles, cycling tracks might also face violations unless civic sense improves. Without fostering responsible behavior, accidents and such issues will persist, rendering infrastructural changes ineffective.