JAIPUR: Shatrughan Shah, a 40-year-old vegetable vendor, is desperately seeking help after losing his auto rickshaw in the devastating fire caused by a collision between an LPG tanker and a truck near Bhankrota on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway on December 20. Despite suffering facial burns, Shah’s name has been left off the official list of injured, leaving him without any compensation.
In an interview with TOI on Monday, Shah described the terrifying events that unfolded on that fateful day. He was transporting vegetables when he found himself in the middle of the disaster. “I saw gas leaking from the LPG tanker, and soon the area was enveloped in a thick gas fog. Then, an ignition sparked a massive fire,” Shah recalled. In a panic, he tried to escape but his muffler and shawl caught fire. “I threw them aside, but my face was still partially burned,” he said.
As he ran toward a nearby school, Shah saw people engulfed in flames, crying out for help. Along with others, he rushed to the aid of the injured, using any available vehicles to get them to the hospital. “It was chaotic, but I couldn’t just stand there. I had to help,” he said.
Shah’s difficulties continued after the fire. Upon checking on his auto rickshaw, he discovered it had been damaged when a truck, attempting to reverse, collided with it. “I lost my vehicle, and now I’m left with nothing,” he said. To make matters worse, since he was not admitted to SMS Hospital, Shah’s name was not included in the state’s list of injured, leaving him without access to any compensation. “I used to make a living selling vegetables. Now I don’t know how to survive,” he added.
ADM North Mukesh Kumar confirmed that Shah has submitted an application, which is expected to be processed soon. For now, Shah waits, hoping the authorities will not overlook his plight during this difficult time.
