Pune: Truck Plunges Into Gorge At Sinhagad Ghat; Driver Escapes Unhurt, Illegal Heavy Vehicle Traffic Under Scrutiny Again
Pune: Truck Plunges Into Gorge At Sinhagad Ghat; Driver Escapes Unhurt, Illegal Heavy Vehicle Traffic Under Scrutiny Again
Pune, October 13, 2025: A major accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when a large truck traveling through the Sinhgad Ghat via Kondhanpur lost control and plunged into a deep gorge. Fortunately, the driver jumped out of the vehicle in time and survived. However, the incident has once again highlighted the ongoing issue of illegal heavy vehicle movement through Sinhgad Ghat — a route officially restricted to tourists.
According to reports, the accident took place around 3 a.m. at the dangerous ‘1000 Point’ curve, located about four kilometers from the Golewadi toll gate in the Sinhgad Ghat. The driver lost control of the vehicle at a narrow bend, causing the truck to fall nearly 100 feet into the valley. The driver sustained minor injuries in the incident.
The truck was reportedly carrying sacks of putty used for painting. Forest officials and staff inspected the accident site on Sunday morning, noting that the vehicle would need to be pulled up using a crane due to its depth. Notably, a similar accident had occurred at the same spot last year involving a truck carrying devotees returning from the Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage.
Authorities had earlier imposed a ban on heavy vehicles — including large trucks, buses, and tempo travelers — on this narrow and winding ghat route due to safety concerns. Despite this, several heavy vehicles continue to use the Sinhgad Ghat road via Kondhanpur, allegedly to avoid police checks on the Khed-Shivapur route or to transport excess loads illegally.
Local residents have repeatedly complained about this issue to the Forest Department, Sinhgad Fort Committee, and Rural Police (Rajgad and Haveli stations), but little action has been taken. As a result, even after the fort is closed to tourists in the evening, illegal goods transport continues, with trucks later entering Pune city via Khadakwasla — making travel through the ghat increasingly dangerous for tourists and locals alike.
