A fatal road accident on a notoriously busy stretch of the Pune highway in Nashik claimed the life of a 45-year-old pedestrian on Monday afternoon. The victim, identified as Ramesh Davar, was crossing the road near St Xavier's High School when he was run over by a truck.
Details of the Tragic Accident
The incident occurred around 4 pm on Monday. According to senior officers from the Upnagar police, Ramesh Davar, a native of Badwani in Madhya Pradesh, was attempting to cross the highway. A truck travelling from the Dwarka side towards Nashik Road hit him, resulting in instant death.
Davar lived along the roadside and sustained himself by crafting and selling clay articles to passersby. The police have registered a case against the truck driver for causing death due to negligence.
Legal Action and Persistent Traffic Hazards
The truck driver has been booked under multiple sections of the law. The charges include Section 106 (causing death due to negligence), Section 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), Section 281 (rash driving), and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
This particular stretch of the Pune highway is infamous for heavy traffic and frequent accidents. The danger is compounded by local traffic patterns, where some motorists from Jetwan Nagar cross the highway and drive on the wrong side to reach Nehrunagar colony and Jail Road.
Residents have long demanded the installation of a traffic signal at this spot, especially due to the constant rush and the movement of schoolchildren and parents during peak hours. While speed breakers were installed at the Jai Bhavani Road crossing a few years ago, locals argue it is insufficient.
Broader Context and Unfulfilled Promises
The area is also home to many migrants from other states who have set up roadside shanties, selling earthen pots and other items. Notably, an anti-encroachment drive was conducted in the same area just two days after the fatal accident, on Wednesday.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the unresolved infrastructure issues plaguing the route. Nearly nine years ago, Union minister Nitin Gadkari announced plans for a flyover from Dwarka to Datta Mandir to ease congestion. However, this crucial project remains incomplete, leaving residents and commuters to navigate a perilous road daily.
The death of Ramesh Davar underscores the urgent need for effective traffic management and infrastructure development on this hazardous highway stretch to prevent further loss of life.
