Special Correspondent
PUNE: A series of road accidents in Pune has resulted in four incidents and claimed three lives, sparking renewed concerns over road safety and traffic law enforcement. Notably, two of the fatalities involved tankers, despite a ban on heavy vehicles within city limits issued by Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar.
A tragic accident in Wagholi claimed the life of 52-year-old Radhika Krishna Sonawane, a sanitation worker from Kamaraj Nagar, Yerwada. Sonawane was collecting garbage near Kesnand Phata on Saturday morning when a speeding tanker (MH12 VW 2729) struck her around 7:15 AM near Gokul Sweet Home.
Her son-in-law, Sharad Dattatraya Bhakare (41), filed a complaint at Wagholi police station, following which the driver, Ajay Dnyaneshwar Dhotre (20), and the vehicle owner, Ganesh Tambe, both from Wagholi, were booked.
According to police reports, Sonawane sustained severe injuries to her chest and legs and was immediately rushed to IMAX Hospital. Despite medical efforts, she was declared dead. Investigations later revealed that the tanker driver was operating the vehicle without a valid license, and the vehicle’s insurance had expired. Authorities have accused Tambe of allowing Dhotre to drive despite these violations. Police Sub-Inspector Bagal is leading the investigation.
Following Sonawane’s death, social organisations, including ‘Swachh Sanstha’ and ‘Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat,’ have condemned the incident, blaming the driver and the vehicle owner for reckless and irresponsible actions.
In another accident in Wagholi on Friday, a tanker collided with a motorcycle on Pune-Nagar Road, killing 28-year-old Rahul Tukaram Chaure and injuring Durgesh Dnyandev Gawli (29), a resident of Magarpatta, Hadapsar. Gawli later lodged a complaint at Wagholi police station, leading to a case being filed against Mahavir Shriramji Gaur (33) of Kondhapuri, Shirur. Assistant Police Inspector Ahire is handling the investigation.
In a separate incident under the jurisdiction of Kale Padal police station, 22-year-old Ruchim Mohit Kapoor from Undri lost his life in a crash due to negligent driving around 4 AM on Saturday. Police Constable Yuvraj Dudhal filed a case, citing reckless driving as the primary cause. Assistant Police Inspector Vilas Sutar is overseeing the investigation.
Earlier in the week, an unidentified car driver struck 44-year-old motorcyclist Ashish Chandorkar near Khadki railway station, leaving him seriously injured. Chandorkar, a resident of Gultekdi, was commuting from Akurdi to Hadapsar when the accident occurred. He later filed a complaint at Khadki police station, and Police Constable Dhawale is investigating the matter.
These incidents highlight the pressing need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules and increased accountability for reckless drivers, especially concerning heavy vehicles operating within city limits.
