Sanjay Kumar Yadav, a Madhesh Province Assembly member from Sarlahi Constituency 3(B), on Friday demanded that the Madhesh Province government increase the compensation for families of victims in the recent Bhimphedi road accident to Rs 500,000. He stated that the Rs 100,000 announced by the provincial government was insufficient.
The accident occurred on Thursday, Kartik 26 (BS), when a Madhesh Province 03-001 Ja 0880 Hiace van, en route from Kathmandu to Chakraghatta, Sarlahi, crashed in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-6, Chisapanigadhi, Makwanpur. The incident resulted in 14 deaths and six injuries. Thirteen of the deceased were residents of Sundarpur Tole, Chakraghatta Rural Municipality-4, Sarlahi, who were returning home for the Chhath festival.
The Madhesh Province government had announced a relief package of Rs 100,000 for each deceased family on Friday, Kartik 27 (BS). Initially, the victims’ relatives refused to accept the bodies, demanding Rs 1 million in compensation, free treatment for the injured, and employment for family members. A consensus was reached after the government committed to providing necessary compensation, ensuring the protection and support of children who lost parents, and offering employment to affected family members. Following this agreement, the post-mortem process began.
The Sundarpur Tole of Chakraghatta Rural Municipality-4, Sarlahi, has been in mourning since the accident, with locals reporting that stoves have not been lit in homes for two days due to the tragedy.
Currently, insurance companies provide Rs 500,000 in compensation to the families of those who die in road accidents, as third-party insurance is mandatory under the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 2049. The Department of Transport Management has proposed a plan to increase this amount to Rs 1 million.
A five-member investigation committee, led by the Assistant Chief District Officer of Makwanpur, has been formed to determine the cause of the Bhimphedi accident. The committee is expected to submit its report within seven days.
The Madhesh Province Council of Ministers has decided to recommend to the Province Chief that the Madhesh Province Assembly meeting resume from Saturday, Kartik 28 (BS).
