Death Toll Mounts On Pune’s Nagar Road: 68 Lives Lost In 9 Months
Pune Police Implements Signal-Free Corridor on Ahmednagar Road to Ease Traffic
Pune’s Ahmednagar Road has earned the grim reputation of being a death trap, claiming 68 lives in just nine months from January to September 2024. The alarming number of fatalities has left locals and commuters fearful of traversing the road. Speeding dumpers and heavy vehicles are primarily responsible for the carnage.
The latest incidents have sent shockwaves through the community. On October 6, a 32-year-old woman riding pillion on a bike was crushed to death by a speeding dumper, while her husband suffered serious injuries. Just days prior, on September 24, a 23-year-old engineer met a similar fate.
According to Pune traffic police records, over 150 accidents have occurred on Ahmednagar Road in the past nine months, resulting in 68 deaths. This averages to around seven deaths per month. The statistics are staggering, with more than 100 people dying annually on Nagar Road.
Locals are now wary of crossing Ahmednagar Road, citing constant fear of speeding heavy vehicles. “We’re afraid to ride on Nagar Road, especially with children,” said, prakriti pawar a local resident. “Many a time, our children are with us, due to which we are even more worried.”
The section of Ahmednagar Road from Viman Nagar Chowk to Khandve Nagar falls under the Airport police station limits, while the section from Khandve Nagar to Perne Phata falls under the Lonikand police station limits. This year, 11 persons lost their lives in 79 accidents within the Airport police station limits, whereas 54 men and nine women lost their lives in accidents within the Lonikand police station limits.
Despite the ban on heavy vehicles between 7 am-11 am and 5 pm-9 pm, dumpers continue to ply the road, posing a deadly risk to commuters. However, the Pune traffic police have taken note of the issue and vowed to take action.
“We’ve deployed more traffic personnel and will take stern action against dumpers and heavy vehicles found running during banned hours,” said Amol Zende, Deputy Commissioner of Police while talking to media. The authorities must take comprehensive measures to address the root causes of these accidents and ensure road safety to prevent further tragedies on Pune’s notorious Ahmednagar Road.
