Ambulance stuck in traffic jam as youths cut cake, burst crackers on highway for birthday bash
Times of India
by RASHMI DROLIAFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A group of youths caused a near 1-kilometer-long traffic standstill on the Ambikapur–Banaras highway in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district to celebrate a birthday. The incident occurred on February 16, when the group parked their vehicles across both lanes of the highway, blocking traffic and leaving an ambulance and several other vehicles stranded for about half an hour. Videos showing fireworks being burst and a cake being cut on a car bonnet went viral on social media. Police have registered a case against five to seven unidentified youths under Sections 285 (causing danger to public safety by negligence) and 126(2) (trespassing with intent to cause harm), but are yet to identify the culprits.
The incident happened near a roadside dhaba close to the district border barrier. The youths, believed to be residents of Ambikapur, initially held a party at the dhaba before moving onto the highway, where they blocked traffic by parking their four-wheelers and engaging in risky behavior. While no patient was confirmed to have been inside the stranded ambulance, the incident highlights the dangers of such celebrations near public roads.
This latest event comes despite recent directives from the Chhattisgarh High Court to crack down on road birthday celebrations and activities that disrupt traffic. In a suo motu case three months ago, the court emphasized the need for strict enforcement of rules and warned against repeated violations. The state government had assured the court that strict measures would be taken to prevent such incidents.
The viral videos have sparked discussions about public safety and responsible celebrations. While festive events are meant to bring joy, they must not compromise road safety or disrupt essential services like emergency vehicles. Authorities are now under pressure to ensure stricter enforcement of traffic laws and prevent similar incidents in the future. The case also underscores the importance of awareness campaigns to encourage safer and more responsible forms of celebration
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026