Accident: Dense Fog Causes Multi-Vehicle Collision On Noida Expressway, Traffic Disrupted

A major accident occurred on Saturday morning along the Noida Expressway as dense fog blanketed Delhi-NCR, severely reducing visibility and leading to a pile-up involving more than a dozen vehicles. Cars and trucks collided in quick succession, leaving several people injured and causing a massive traffic jam that stretched for kilometres.

The Accident Scene

The crash took place on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, also known as the Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway. This 135-km, six-lane highway is a crucial bypass for traffic moving between Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, designed to ease congestion in the capital. On Saturday, however, the expressway became the site of chaos as vehicles rammed into one another in the thick smog.

Visuals from the site revealed the extent of the damage. One white car had mounted the divider, its bonnet crushed beyond recognition. A truck stood nearby, while another car was seen lodged beneath a heavy vehicle. The sequence of collisions appeared to be triggered by the near-zero visibility, with drivers unable to react in time to vehicles slowing down or stopping ahead.

Police teams, supported by toll management staff, rushed to the scene. Cranes were deployed to remove mangled vehicles and clear the road for traffic. The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissionerate told NDTV that officers were present and handling the situation. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the department said: "Police force is present at the scene, and necessary actions are being taken."

Authorities have yet to release the exact number of vehicles involved or the total count of injured individuals. However, eyewitness accounts suggest that the pile-up was extensive, with multiple lanes blocked and commuters stranded for hours.

Smog and Air Quality Crisis

The accident coincided with one of the season's worst smog episodes in Delhi-NCR. Residents woke up to a thick blanket of haze that reduced visibility across major roads. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Noida's Sector-125 recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 449 at noon - a level categorised as "severe." Such conditions not only pose health risks but also make driving hazardous, particularly on high-speed corridors like the expressways.

Revised Speed Limits

In light of the dangerous driving conditions, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Traffic Police announced new speed restrictions:

- Yamuna Expressway: 75 km/h for light vehicles, 60 km/h for heavy vehicles.
- Noida-Greater Noida Expressway: 75 km/h for light vehicles, 50 km/h for heavy vehicles.
- Noida Elevated Road: 50 km/h for light vehicles, 40 km/h for heavy vehicles.

These measures are aimed at reducing the risk of further accidents during periods of low visibility.

Broader Implications

The incident highlights the deadly combination of winter fog and worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR. With AQI levels frequently crossing into the "severe" category, commuters face not only health hazards but also increased risks on the road. Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution, keep headlights and fog lights on, and maintain safe distances between vehicles.

Saturday's pile-up serves as a grim reminder of how environmental challenges directly impact public safety. As Delhi-NCR grapples with its annual smog crisis, road safety measures and stricter enforcement of speed limits may prove critical in preventing similar tragedies.