ALAPPUZHA: A 24-year-old student who suffered severe injuries and lost mobility below the waist after a Tamil Nadu government bus accident has been awarded ₹2.60 crore in compensation by the Alappuzha Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT).
The compensation has been ordered in the case involving Gaurinanda, a native of Mannancherry in Alappuzha. The amount is to be paid by the Tamil Nadu State Express Transport Corporation.
The accident occurred on November 11, 2023, when Gaurinanda was travelling from Chennai to Bengaluru in connection with her studies. At the time, she was pursuing an MSc in Physics at Vellore Institute of Technology.
The accident took place near the Chettiyappanur flyover in Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu. According to the case details, a Tamil Nadu Corporation bus lost control, crossed the divider and collided with the bus in which Gaurinanda was travelling.
The impact resulted in the deaths of four people, while 16 others were injured.
Gaurinanda suffered serious injuries and was subsequently treated at hospitals, including Vellore Medical College. However, the injuries left her paralysed below the waist, resulting in a permanent loss of mobility and significantly altering her life.
The Alappuzha MACT considered the severity of her injuries, the loss of mobility, the continuing physical difficulties and the consequences for her life while determining the compensation.
The tribunal has now ordered the Tamil Nadu State Express Transport Corporation to pay ₹2.60 crore to the student.
The compensation award comes nearly three years after the accident that caused life-changing injuries to the young student. The case highlights the severe and long-term consequences faced by victims of major road accidents, particularly when serious injuries result in permanent disabilities.
Gaurinanda was pursuing higher education when the accident occurred. The injuries suffered in the crash have since resulted in the loss of mobility in the lower half of her body and continuing medical and physical challenges.
The tribunal’s order provides compensation in recognition of the extensive impact of those injuries on her life following the November 2023 accident.
