Hinjewadi Bus Fire Kills 4, Injures 6: Safety Concerns Raised in Maharashtra Assembly
Hinjawadi Incident Not an Accident; Driver Arrested for Planned Act of Revenge
A devastating fire erupted in a mini bus carrying 13 workers from Vyoma Graphics in Hinjewadi, leaving four dead and six injured. The vehicle was en route from Warje to the office when the fire broke out around 7:45 PM, just 500 meters from their destination. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about safety.
The incident, which has become a topic of discussion in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, has highlighted the vulnerability of workers who commute daily. Adding to the shock, the vehicle had a valid fitness certificate, making the circumstances even more perplexing.
The victims, who had come to Pune for work, have been identified as Subhash Bhosale (44, Warje), Shankar Shinde (63, Narhe), Gurudas Lokhare (44, Kothrud), and Rajan Chavan (42, Wadgaon Budruk). The injured include Janardan Hambardikar (bus driver), Vishwas Khanvilkar, Sandeep Shinde, and Vishwas Jori, while Chandrakant Malji and Pravin Nikam have sustained serious injuries. Krushnarao Godase, Manjiri Adkar, Vitthal Dighe, and Pradeep Raut managed to escape the inferno, barely. All the workers were residing in Warje and Narhe in Pune.
The vehicle registration number of the inn fated vehicle is MH 14 CW 3548. The incident occurred around 7:45 PM, just 500 meters from the Vyoma Graphics premises in Hinjewadi Phase I. The bus, which had departed from Warje at 7 AM to pick up the workers, was carrying 13 employees of Vyoma Graphics, a company owned by Nitin Shah. The company had previously been located in Warje before shifting to Hinjewadi Phase I a few years ago and provided a free bus service for its workers’ transportation.
What Transpired in the Hinjawadi Bus Fire?
The bus driver, Janardan Hambardikar, sustained burns on his stomach but tried to stop the bus. Unfortunately, the brakes didn’t work. In a last-ditch effort, Janardan jumped out of the bus, which continued for another 200 meters, scraping along the roadside before catching fire. As the flames spread, four people—Krushnarao Godase, Manjiri Adkar, Vitthal Dighe, and Pradeep Raut—managed to jump out and escape with their lives.
Other passengers, including Hambardikar, Khanvilkar, Shinde, and Jori, also tried to flee but were injured in the process. Tragically, the fire grew stronger, trapping four workers—Subhash Bhosale, Shankar Shinde, Gurudas Lokhare, and Raju Chavan—inside. Bhosale and Lokhare tried to open the rear door but couldn’t. All four were engulfed by the flames and died at the scene.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital in Pimpri. Heartbreaking scenes followed as relatives arrived to identify their loved ones, their anguished cries filling the hospital and creating an atmosphere of profound grief.
Matter Brought Up in the Maharashtra Assembly:
The incident sparked concern in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s budget session, where MLA Hemant Rasne from Pune’s Kasba Peth constituency demanded that the company provide full support to the families of the deceased and urged the government to ensure the company fulfills its obligations. He also called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.
Police investigations are underway. A Senior Police Inspector of Hinjewadi Police Station, said that the vehicle belonged to Force Motors. Company representatives and RTO officials have inspected the vehicle and suspect that a wire malfunction causing a short circuit may have ignited the fire. However, this is still under investigation.
Another official mentioned , “The burnt vehicle was registered in 2015. It is owned by the company and holds a valid fitness certificate. An investigation is currently ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.”
Another police official said, “It’s possible the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. A forensic team and the RTO are conducting investigations, and the final conclusion will be made based on their findings.”
An activist expressed concerns about transportation safety, saying, “Drivers of vehicles carrying workers often lack proper training to manage emergencies. In the past, companies operated their own transport services, but due to financial pressures, many have stopped. Employees are often unaware of emergency exits or fire safety protocols in passenger vehicles. These safety measures need to be regularly inspected.”
