A 22-year-old biker died and two others were critically injured while they were allegedly racing each other down the VIP Road early on Saturday, police said.
Sukhdeb Gayen, a resident of Shimultala in Baguiati, hit a road divider while driving at top speed, the police said.
The two others who were racing on a separate bike received multiple injuries after the driver lost balance possibly seeing the crash and rammed into the divider. The two, in their mid-twenties, are being treated at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. None were wearing helmets.
The police said that the three allegedly began racing from Lake Town towards Baguiati around 2.30am on Saturday. There weren’t too many vehicles on VIP Road at that time.
“After crossing the Kestopur signal, both the bikers rammed into the divider. They possibly had missed the divider owing to high speed,” said a senior police officer.
Some people alerted by the sound of the crash informed the police. Doctors said the two men in the hospital had suffered multiple fractures.
The police are scanning CCTV footage from the traffic cameras installed along VIP Road to ascertain the speed of the bikes.
Bikes zipping down at high speed and zig-zagging on VIP Road is a common sight late in the night. Traffic policemen from at least three traffic guards, including Lake Town, Baguiati and airport, are posted along the VIP Road. Residents alleged that officers do little to book the bikers.
A senior police officer of the Bidhannagar Commissionerate’s traffic wing said that they carry out regular checks.
Gayen used to work as a delivery agent, an officer said. Of the other two, one runs a small business of electrical goods and the third is unemployed.