India, Dec. 2 -- After two school children were killed in separate road accidents on November 26 and 27, Bhiwandi has been gripped by public outrage, with residents staging widespread protests against the civic body, Thane police and the traffic department. Residents allege that authorities have failed to enforce restrictions on heavy vehicles, which are officially barred from entering the city between 6 am and midnight but continue to ply freely through densely populated areas.

Residents say the situation has worsened due to the combination of dangerous road conditions, unchecked movement of multi-axle trucks and chronic congestion across the powerloom town. The stretch between Anjur Phata and Nadi Naka has become a particular flashpoin...