Minister’s jeep stalls during Kannada Rajyotsava parade in Belagavi due to diesel leak
Belagavi : A possible mishap was averted during the grand Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations in Belagavi on Saturday, when the jeep meant to carry district in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi for the parade inspection suddenly leaked diesel at the district stadium.
The incident occurred moments before the minister was to board the vehicle after the flag hoisting ceremony. Alert officials noticed the fuel leak in time, and fire department personnel immediately sprayed fire-control gas to prevent ignition. The faulty vehicle was then pushed out of the parade ground by police personnel to ensure safety.
The diesel leakage caused a brief disruption to the event but no injuries or damage were reported. Officials confirmed that the situation was quickly brought under control.
Earlier, Minister Jarkiholi had offered prayers to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari before hoisting the Karnataka flag to mark the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava. MLA Asif Seth, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, Zilla Panchayat CEO Rahul Sindhe, and Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase were among those present on the dais.
Following the flag hoisting, the minister was scheduled to inspect the parade. However, due to the mechanical glitch, the inspection was skipped, and he proceeded to witness the ceremonial march-past from the stage.
The colorful parade, featuring contingents from the police, KSRP, NCC, Scouts, and students from various schools, showcased the spirit of Kannada pride and unity. The stadium resounded with patriotic slogans and traditional music as participants celebrated Karnataka’s formation day with enthusiasm.
The quick response of the fire and police teams helped avoid a potential fire accident. The incident, though minor, briefly interrupted the official proceedings but did not dampen the festive spirit of Rajyotsava.
Local authorities later inspected the vehicle and initiated a technical check to prevent similar mishaps in future government events.
