Agra: Trucks continue to ply through the city despite the construction of a 400 crore Northern Bypass; another death on Waterworks flyover; 110 lives lost in 2026

A Northern Bypass was constructed at a cost of about 400 crore rupees to curb the movement of heavy vehicles in Agra, but despite this, trucks and other heavy vehicles continue to pass through the city. Common people are paying the price for this with their lives. On Thursday, 35-year-old Zeeshan, a resident of Tundla, died after being hit by a truck on the Waterworks flyover of the Agra-Mathura Highway (NH-19). Following this latest accident, questions are once again being raised about the traffic management system and the functioning of responsible departments. According to available data, 110 people have lost their lives on the highways within Agra's limits so far in the year 2026.

400 crore bypass, yet heavy vehicles are passing through the city

The Northern Bypass was constructed with the objective of reducing the pressure of heavy vehicles in Agra and providing relief to the city's busy areas. This bypass, which is about 14 kilometers long, has been open for traffic since 4 December 2025. Through this, heavy vehicles can take an alternative route without entering the densely populated parts of the city.

Despite this, a large number of trucks, containers, and other heavy vehicles are passing through the urban section of NH-19. This has caused concern regarding the safety of people living in Bhagwan Talkies, Waterworks, Rambagh, Sikandra, and surrounding colonies.

Pressure on city roads increasing to save on tolls

The difference in toll and distance is also being cited as a major reason behind heavy vehicles not using the bypass. Vehicles have to pay a toll when connecting to the Yamuna Expressway via the Northern Bypass, whereas this expense is saved when passing through the city.

According to available traffic-related data, approximately 55 to 60 trucks pass through the Northern Bypass cut in an hour, but only 10 to 12 of these trucks turn towards the bypass. The remaining heavy vehicles enter towards Agra city.

It is clear from this that despite the availability of an alternative route, the pressure of heavy vehicles on the urban highway is not decreasing.

110 deaths and 27 black spots, yet accidents are not stopping

The situation regarding road accidents on the Agra-Delhi highway remains consistently serious. Data shows 110 deaths on the highway up to 6 November in the year 2026. Prior to this, 109 deaths were recorded in the data for the preceding ten months.

27 accident-prone locations, or black spots, have also been identified on the highway. Despite this, the risk of collision between speeding heavy vehicles and urban traffic remains.

Due to the presence of schools, hospitals, markets, and residential colonies in populated areas, the movement of heavy vehicles passing through here is particularly sensitive.

Matter reaches the Supreme Court, notices issued to officials

The issue of heavy vehicles passing through the middle of Agra has now reached the Supreme Court. Senior Advocate KC Jain, who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in this regard, has demanded that commercial vehicles that do not have a local destination in Agra should not be allowed to pass through the city via NH-19.

In this matter, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Union Ministry of Road Transport, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) in October 2026. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for 25 November 2026.

The petition also demands the regulation of heavy commercial vehicle movement under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Advocate KC Jain says - the system is also responsible for the accident

Advocate KC Jain, who filed the PIL in the Supreme Court against the movement of heavy vehicles through the city, has questioned the existing system.

He says that holding only the truck driver responsible for the death on the Waterworks flyover is not enough. If the district administration, police, NHAI, and the transport department had formulated an effective strategy together and compelled non-local heavy vehicles to use the Northern Bypass, the risk of such accidents could have been reduced.

What is the challenge before the administration now?

The failure to ensure the expected utilization of the Northern Bypass despite its construction is a major question related to administrative and traffic management. Clear route diversion, monitoring, regular checking, and effective enforcement of rules are necessary to control the entry of heavy vehicles into the city.

Zeeshan's death on the Waterworks flyover has once again raised the question of when the city residents will get relief from this pressure of heavy vehicles. Now, all eyes are on the administration's next course of action and the hearing to be held in the Supreme Court on 25 November.