Speeding car plunges into canal trench near Chandrabhaga Bridge in Ahmedabad, two injured, driver booked

A speeding car carrying two occupants plunged into a trench near the under-construction canal close to Chandrabhaga Bridge and the Gandhi Ashram redevelopment zone in the early hours of Friday, leaving both occupants injured and raising questions about how the vehicle ended up inside the enclosed area.

The incident occurred near the Chandrabhaga canal stretch, where renovation and repair works are currently underway as part of the larger redevelopment project around Gandhi Ashram. The sight of the vehicle lying inside the trench drew large crowds of curious onlookers, with locals expressing surprise over how the car managed to enter an area reportedly barricaded from all sides.

The impact of the crash was severe enough to deploy the vehicle's airbags. Residents in the vicinity initially suspected that two persons had been travelling in the car at the time of the accident.

According to police, the accident took place at around 2.30 am when a four-wheeler was travelling from the Ranip D-Mart side towards Chandrabhaga Bridge via the newly constructed canal road. The vehicle was being driven by 39-year-old Vishalbhai Manojbhai Shah, a resident of Navrangpura, while his friend, 33-year-old Mukund Pranavkumar Patel, was seated beside him.

Investigators said the driver was allegedly travelling at excessive speed and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to plunge into the trench below the canal embankment near Chandrabhaga Bridge. Both occupants sustained injuries, though police said they were not life-threatening.

Following the crash, the injured men were rushed to Zydus Hospital for treatment. Police personnel reached the spot after receiving information from the police station at around 4 am, where a PCR van from Ranip Police Station was already present. Later in the evening, hospital authorities informed police about the accident. After receiving primary treatment, both injured men were discharged from the hospital.

The unusual nature of the crash has prompted questions among local residents regarding road safety measures and access restrictions around the ongoing canal and redevelopment works. Police have registered an offence against the driver for allegedly driving in a manner that endangered the lives and safety of others and have initiated further legal proceedings.