Speeding Dumper Kills 19-Year-Old Woman in Baner, Hits Two-Wheeler Stopped at Traffic Signal
Pune, January 21: A tragic road accident at Dasra Chowk in Balewadi claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman, Mukta Santosh Kale, while injuring the rider of the two-wheeler she was traveling on as a pillion passenger. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, when a speeding dumper rammed into the stationary two-wheeler at a traffic signal.
The deceased, a resident of Mahalunge, Balewadi, was undergoing training in a beauty parlor course. The injured rider, Shilpa Kamble, 36, also a resident of Balewadi, sustained minor injuries and has lodged a complaint with the Baner Police Station.
According to the police, the dumper’s impact caused Mukta to fall under its wheels, leading to her instant death. The driver of the dumper fled the scene immediately after the accident. A case has been registered, and Assistant Police Inspector Rutuja Jadhav is leading the investigation to apprehend the absconding driver.
The incident has also reignited concerns over the lax enforcement of restrictions on heavy vehicles within Pune city limits. Despite regulations prohibiting heavy vehicles like dumpers, cement mixers, and trucks from operating during daytime on major city roads, violations remain rampant.
Residents and activists have criticized the failure to enforce these rules, citing the frequent and severe accidents caused by such vehicles. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter monitoring and enforcement to prevent further loss of lives.
