Jaipur: A chemical-laden tanker collided with a trailer on Jaipur–Delhi National Highway (NH-48) near Paota in Kotputli–Behror district Sunday evening, triggering a massive fire and bringing traffic on the stretch to a standstill, police said. The fire spread across several metres of the highway, bringing traffic to a halt.SP, Kotputli–Behror, Devendra Kumar Bishnoi said the tanker was heading towards New Delhi when it lost control, crossed the divider and rammed into a trailer before catching fire. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames following the collision.Bishnoi said chemicals from the tanker spilled over a large stretch of the highway and also flowed into a nearby drain, worsening the fire situation. He said local residents rushed to the spot immediately after the crash and helped rescue the drivers and helpers of both vehicles.“Fortunately, the drivers managed to get out in time,” Bishnoi said.Police said the incident occurred shortly after 8.30pm. Following information from the control room, district police placed all ambulances, nearby hospitals and fire brigade units on alert. Traffic on the highway was completely stopped as a safety measure, and vehicles were diverted through alternative routes.Multiple fire brigade teams were pressed into service and managed to control the blaze after several hours of sustained firefighting, police said. A heavy police presence was deployed at the site to manage the situation and prevent further risk.Senior district officials, including the district collector and superintendent of police, reached the spot to supervise relief and traffic management operations. Police said the situation is now under control and assessment of damage and clean-up is underway.
