Premium

Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks

At least 17 people were killed and 89 injured in a catastrophic 15-vehicle pile-up in dense fog on the Yamuna Expressway before dawn on Tuesday.

3 min readNoidaUpdated: Dec 17, 2025 11:19 AM IST

Mathura: Cranes clear the charred remains of buses after a fog-hit pile-up involving several buses and cars triggered fires on the Yamuna Expressway, in Mathura, Tuesday. PTI

At least 17 people were killed and 89 injured in a catastrophic 15-vehicle pile-up in dense fog on the Yamuna Expressway before dawn on Tuesday, police said. Eleven months ago, on January 15, 2024, at least 40 people were injured after two buses travelling to Noida from Rajasthan and UP collided on the same high speed road.

The Yamuna Expressway connects Greater Noida to Agra, its interchanges and link roads provide Delhi and Noida access to Faridabad, Gurgaon, Mathura, Vrindavan, Aligarh, Hathras, Firozabad, and Etawah.

Mathura District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh has set up a committee to inquire into Tuesday’s crash. The committee has been given two days to look into the reasons for the fatal pile-up, the DM told The Indian Express.

Also read | Four killed in Delhi-Agra Expressway accident due to fog, UP CM Yogi announces compensation: Video

Rakesh Kumar Singh, CEO of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), said that the general manager (Project) of YEIDA will be part of the committee set up by the Mathura administration.

A senior YEIDA official told The Indian Express that open spaces and the presence of flowing water close to the Yamuna Expressway leads to the formation of dense fog.

“We also need to examine the condition of street lights, and the possibility of putting radium paint on the white-and-black vertical tracks on the Expressway, and installing cat’s eyes on the road,” he said.

‘Cat’s eyes’ are reflective studs – raised markers for lanes, road edges, and pavements – that guide drivers at night or in poor visibility by reflecting their headlights.

Story continues below this ad

Road safety expert Prince Singhal, the founder of Community Against Drunken Driving (CADD), said that though the reason for Tuesday’s crash seems to have been fog, high speeds on the Expressway was an important risk factor.

“Ab to main khul ke gaadi chalaunga (I can drive freely now)… This is the attitude of many people traveling on the Yamuna Expressway. It is also one of the most important reasons for the occurrence of accidents,” he said.

Singhal also said that the absence of law enforcement allows people to drink and drive. “People drive to Agra, Lucknow, or Kanpur on expressways at speeds that sometimes reach 150 km/hr. This becomes even more dangerous when fog and polluted air reduce visibility,” he said.

Singhal said there are hardly any police or emergency care facilities along the expressway. “There are no ambulances, no mid-way halting areas, no regular checking, and no speed limits. It is a freeway. People need to be educated and trained – and they must be punished when found breaking traffic rules,” he said.

Neetika Jha

Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Professional Profile Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations. Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities: 1. Environment & Public Safety "Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans. "Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people. "At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital. "Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents. 2. Crime & Legal Developments "'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused. "After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement. "Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida. 3. Human Interest & Features "'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter. "How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city. Signature Style Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...