During the festival days of Diwali, Gujarati New Year, and Bhai Dooj from November 4 to 6, the 108 emergency services in Gujarat recorded 2,360 road accident incidents, according to officials of GVK EMRI, a PPP ambulance service administered by the state government.
According to GVK EMRI, road accident emergencies increased by 83.73% and 176.90%, respectively, on Diwali and Gujarati New Year compared to usual days. The increase in accident emergencies for Bhai Dooj was 58.79%. The emergency services report 381 accident cases every day on average. The increased movement of people during the festivities was blamed for the increase in emergency.
On the Gujarati New Year, a total of 1,055 accident cases were reported. According to officials, this statistic is one of the largest ever reported on a single day.
The data analysis also revealed that two-wheeler accidents increased by 95.39%, 202.48%, and 67.73% on Diwali, New Year, and Bhai Dooj, respectively. On the other hand, the number of four-wheeler accidents climbed by 162.96% and 229.63%, respectively, during Diwali and New Year. On November 6, there was a 192.59% rise in four-wheeler accidents.
According to Jashvant Prajapati, chief operating officer of GVK EMRI, Gujarat, emergency services responded to 7,888 cases across Gujarat during the three festive days, with Diwali and Gujarati New Year showing increases of 0.99% and 21.46%, respectively, in emergency situations. While Bhai Dhooj experienced a nearly 9.08% increase.
“We also saw a significant increase in non-vehicular trauma, with 1,299 instances reported around Diwali and Gujarati New Year.” On Diwali and New Year’s, the number of emergency cases increased by 36.61% and 78.31%, respectively. On November 6, there was also a 25.42% rise over regular days,” Prajapati said..
The major reason for non-vehicular trauma was physical assault (233 cases) followed by cases of injury owing to a fall.
The total number of burn cases received throughout the three days was 54, with Diwali, New Year, and Bhai Dooj seeing a surge of 185.71%, 128.57% and 157.14%, respectively, over the average.
In comparison to the two similar days last year, overall emergencies in 2021 were 1.70% and 17.74% greater, respectively.
Among districts, Aravalli reported 114% increase in emergency cases, while Mahisagar have seen a 50% increase in emergency cases on November 5 (Gujarati New Year) compared to typical days. Navsari also had a 56% surge on November 5, 43% on November 6, and 36% on November 4.