The onset of the New Year in Nagpur was marred by tragedy as three individuals, spanning different generations, lost their lives in separate road accidents within a span of two days. The incidents, occurring on December 31 and January 1, have once again cast a grim spotlight on road safety in the city.
A Series of Fatal Mishaps
The first victim was a 12-year-old boy, Aarav Madavi. The tragic event took place on December 31 on the Wathoda Ring Road. According to reports, Aarav was hit by a rashly-driven SUV. He was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The Wathoda police have filed charges against the SUV driver, identified as Pranay Gaikwad.
Merely a day later, on Wednesday, January 1, around 10:30 PM, another life was cut short. Anshul Gawande, 21, died after falling from a speeding motorcycle near Gitanjali Chowk. The two-wheeler was being driven by his friend, Rahul Dhurve. Anshul sustained critical injuries and was declared dead at Mayo Hospital. Following the incident, the Ganeshpeth police lodged a case against the motorbike driver.
Elderly Woman Succumbs to Injuries
The third fatal accident occurred on Thursday, January 2, between 10:30 AM and 10:45 AM. A 63-year-old woman, Asha Pofre, was seriously injured when a 12-wheeler truck hit her while it was reversing near Tinkhamba Chowk in the Timki area. The truck was allegedly driven by Vishal Tembhurne. Asha Pofre was immediately taken to Mayo Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The Tehsil police have registered a case in connection with this incident.
Police Action and Ongoing Concerns
In all three cases, the local police stations have taken swift action by registering cases against the drivers involved. These incidents highlight a persistent and grave issue of road safety in urban areas. The victims—a child, a youth, and a senior citizen—represent vulnerable road users who are often at the highest risk in traffic collisions.
The sequence of fatal accidents within such a short timeframe raises serious questions about rash driving, enforcement of traffic rules, and the overall safety of pedestrians and two-wheeler riders on Nagpur's roads. Authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of each case, but the outcomes have already left three families in mourning at the start of the year.
This tragic cluster of events serves as a somber reminder for all commuters and drivers to exercise utmost caution and adhere to speed limits. Community leaders and traffic safety advocates are likely to call for renewed focus on preventive measures and stricter enforcement to prevent such heartbreaking losses in the future.
