Bengaluru:

A pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run incident on MG Road in the early hours of Friday, raising renewed concerns over road safety and speeding on one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors.

According to traffic police, the incident occurred near Anil Kumble Circle when a speeding vehicle hit a man who was crossing the road. The driver fled the scene without stopping to help the victim.

Passers-by alerted emergency services, and the injured man was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police said the victim’s identity is yet to be formally confirmed and efforts are underway to contact his family. A case has been registered at the Ashok Nagar traffic police station under sections related to rash and negligent driving and causing death by negligence.

Senior traffic police officials said CCTV footage from traffic surveillance cameras and nearby establishments is being examined to trace the vehicle involved. Preliminary findings suggest the vehicle was speeding and did not stop after the accident.

MG Road, a key arterial stretch connecting central Bengaluru to eastern parts of the city, witnesses heavy vehicular and pedestrian movement throughout the day. Officials said while traffic is lighter during early morning hours, instances of overspeeding tend to increase during this time.

Local residents and shop owners said accidents are not uncommon on the stretch, despite traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. They pointed to frequent overspeeding and weak enforcement.

Road safety activists have called for stricter monitoring, improved pedestrian infrastructure, better lighting, and traffic-calming measures in the area.

Traffic police said enforcement measures and patrolling will be strengthened in central business districts to curb reckless driving.