State Bureau Raipur/Bemetara, Nov 22 Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Ram Vichar Netam sustained critical injuries in a severe road accident on the Raipur-Bemetara highway, near Javra village, under Simga police station limits, on Friday late evening. His official vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner (CG-02 BA-5550) part of the convoy returning from Kawardha, collided with a speeding pick-up truck, leaving its front section completely wrecked. The crash occurred just 10 minutes after Netam left a rest house in Bemetara.

 

The impact caused the minister’s head to hit the dashboard despite the airbags deploying, resulting in injuries to his head, hands, and legs. Alongside him, his personal secretary and other passengers, including the Minister’s driver, sustained injuries. Netam was rushed to Simga Primary Health Centre, where doctors stabilised him before transferring him to a private hospital in Raipur through a green corridor.

 

Officials ensured a swift transit under tight medical supervision, with Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal monitoring the process closely. Dr Paras Patel, who accompanied the minister in the ambulance from Simga to Raipur, informed that Netam’s injuries were significant but not life-threatening. “He has head injuries and contusions on his hands and legs. Fortunately, primary treatment in Simga stabilised him, and his vitals are under control,” Dr Patel stated. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Santosh Kumar Singh highlighted that the airbag deployment mitigated further injuries, but the severity of the crash necessitated immediate advanced medical care.

 

“The driver of the pick-up truck fled the scene, and police teams are actively pursuing leads to apprehend him,” he added. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his concern, stating on X (formerly Twitter): “Received news of senior colleague Ram Vichar Netam’s accident. Praying for his speedy recovery.” Health Minister Jaiswal, who visited the hospital, reported that the minister’s condition is stable. “The prompt medical care in Simga helped stabilise him, and advanced treatment in Raipur is progressing,” he stated. Bemetara SDOP Manoj Kumar Tirkey confirmed the media persons that the collision left Netam’s vehicle wrecked. The crash site also saw injuries to several other occupants of the convoy, who were treated alongside the minister. Bemetara Collector Ranbir Sharma and Raipur Collector Dr Gaurav Singh rushed to the hospital to oversee arrangements. The crash site was attended by police and district officials, with preliminary investigations revealing that the pick-up driver’s recklessness caused the accident. Search operations are underway to locate and apprehend the absconding driver. As news of the accident spread, large numbers of supporters gathered outside the hospital in Raipur. Doctors assured that Netam is conscious and responsive, but a comprehensive evaluation will determine further medical intervention as he remains under observation.