A gruesome accident on the Pune-Nashik Highway near Narayangaon claimed the lives of nine people, including a five-year-old child, in the early morning hours of January 17, 2025. A tempo, a minivan, and a stationary bus collided in an accident that ultimately led to a fatal chain of events resulting in the loss of the victims and leaving others seriously injured.
Information about the Collision
The accident happened at around 9:30 AM when a tempo hit the minivan from the rear. The impact threw the minivan into an empty State Transport (ST) bus that was parked on the roadside. The intensity of the collision resulted in the immediate deaths of nine passengers in the minivan. Police have identified the deceased as follows:
Debubai Takalkar (65)
Vinod Rokade (50), the minivan driver
Yuvraj Wavhal (23)
Chandrakant Gunjal (50)
Geeta Gaware (45)
Bhau Bade (65)
Najma Hanif Shaikh (35)
Vashifa Inamdar (5), the child
Manisha Pacharne (56)
Injured and Under Treatment
Eight others suffered injuries of different degrees. They are currently under treatment for their wounds. The injuries are minor to moderate, but the survivors are expected to recover with medical care. Local authorities are ensuring that the injured individuals are provided the best care possible.
The Tempo Driver Flees the Scene
The driver of the tempo ran away from the spot after the accident, and the police have launched a search for him. The police are investigating the cause of the accident and the driver responsible for it. The bus driver, Bhausaheb Jaybhay, has been booked for parking the bus in an unsafe manner, which led to the accident.
Local Impact and Community Reactions
The news of this tragic incident has come as a shock to all of us in Kandali. They are very well-known faces here, so the feeling of loss is extremely saddening.” – Vikram Bhor, sarpanch, Kandali village. Driver Vinod Rokade was also quite famous for plying the route on which he lost his life, and so was Yuvraj Wavhal, a promising young man preparing for civil services exams. The village is mourning the loss of several beloved residents, and local authorities are offering support to the grieving families.
Government’s Response and Compensation
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences, calling the incident unfortunate. In response, the state government announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. This financial aid aims to provide some relief to the bereaved families in the wake of this tragic event.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Measures
The police have filed a case against the tempo driver under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Motor Vehicles Act, and efforts are being made to bring him to justice. The accident has brought to the fore the need for more stringent road safety measures, especially on busy highways like the Pune-Nashik Highway. Authorities are asking drivers to follow safety guidelines to avoid such tragedies in the future.
The tragic accident that took place on the Pune-Nashik Highway shook the local community. Now with the investigation work being carried out and compensation is also being distributed, it becomes an issue for the delivery of justice to victims and ensuring more road safety measures.