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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
8 dead, 29 injured as pick-up van falls into gorge in Maharashtra's Khed
Pune: Eight people died and 29 others sustained injuries after a pick-up van they were travelling in plunged 25 to 30 feet into a gorge near Kundeshwar Temple in Papalwadi village in Khed. On being alerted, emergency response teams rushed to the site.(HT Photo) The vehicle ( MH 14 GD 7299) was taking devotees from Faplawadi village to the temple for 'darshan' when the accident occurred. According to deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Shivaji Pawar, Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, the van veered off the narrow path and tumbled down a steep slope, resulting in the tragedy. On being alerted, emergency response teams rushed to the site, and the injured were admitted to nearby hospitals. 'Eight people have been confirmed dead so far, while 29 others are undergoing treatment in various hospitals,' DCP Pawar said, adding that women and children are among the dead. Also Read | Denied help, man ties wife's body on bike after accident in Nagpur The deceased have been identified as Shobha Dnyaneshwar Papal, Suman Kaluram Papal, Sharda Ramdas Chorge, Manda Kanif Darekar, Sanjeevani Kailas Darekar, Mirabai Sambhaji Chorge, Baidabai Nyayneshwar Darekar and Shakuntala Tanaji Chorghe. Of the 29 injured, four - Alka Shivaji Chorghe, Ranjana Dattatray Kolekar, Malubai Laxman Chorghe and Jaya Balu Darekar - were administered medical aid locally. The rest were rushed to hospitals in the region. Injured admitted to hospitals Pokharkar Hospital in Khed - Lata Tai Karande, Ruturaj Kotwal, Rishikesh Karande and Nikita Papaland Jayshree Papal. Gawde Hospital - Shakuntala Chorghe and Manisha Darekar. Shivtirth Hospital - Laxmi Chandrakant Kolekar, Kalabai Malhari Londhe, Janabai Karande, Fasabai Sawant, Supriya Londhe and Nishant Londhe. Care Well Hospital in Chakan - Siddhi Dnyaneshwar Papal. Bambale Hospital - Kavita Sarang Chorghe, Sulabai Balasaheb Chorghe, Siddhikar Ramdas Chorghe and Chhababai Nivrutti Papal. Sainath Hospital in Bhosari - Sulochana Kolekar, Mangal Sharad Darekar, Poonam Vanaji Papal and Jaibai Vanaji Papal. Salunkhe Hospital in Khed - Chitra Sharad Karande, Chandrabaga Dattatray Darekar, and Manda Changdev Papal are under medical observation. Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey said that the place where the van carrying the pilgrims fell into the gorge falls in the ghat section. 'The injured are currently recuperating in private hospitals in Khed tehsil,' he added. Also Read | 1 killed, another injured after SUV rams into pedestrians in Delhi, driver detained Senior police inspector Digambar Suryavanshi, Mahalunge Police Station, described the scene at the spot as harrowing, with broken bangles and footwear scattered all over the place. 'Many of the injured women went into shock upon seeing the deceased. We moved them swiftly to hospitals, where they are getting proper medical care,' he said. The pilgrims were on their way to the Kundeshwar Temple as it was the third Monday of the month of Shravan, considered holy and auspicious by Hindus. Also Read | 1-year-old boy among seven killed in road mishaps in Shravasti and Bhadohi districts Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X stated that he was saddened by the loss of lives due to an accident in Pune and offered condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the mishap. 'May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹ 50,000,' he stated in the tweet. Pimpri Chinchwad police have launched a probe to find out the exact cause of the accident. Police sources said that preliminary investigations suggest that the cause could be linked to overcrowding and the driver losing control on the hilly terrain.
The Print
05-06-2025
- General
- The Print
Pimpri Chinchwad shows how to put people before vehicles. It's a model for urban India
Our roads must serve people—not just vehicles. In Pimpri Chinchwad, 23 per cent of daily commuters walk, and around 1 per cent cycle. But the streets they navigate daily are fraught with danger. The absence of continuous footpaths, safe pedestrian crossings, and protected cycling lanes exposes them to constant risk. If our mobility systems are to be truly inclusive, they must be built around the needs of those who walk and cycle. Streets that are safe for the most vulnerable are streets that are safe for everyone. Pimpri Chinchwad, a key city in the Pune Metropolitan Region, is a microcosm of this broader national challenge. In 2022 and 2023, the Pune district recorded 3,343 road crash fatalities. Within the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, there was a small decline—fatalities fell from 373 in 2022 to 360 in 2023. Still, nearly one-third of those killed were pedestrians, and another 2 per cent were cyclists. For a city that aspires to be smart, inclusive, and liveable, these numbers are deeply concerning. Every year, more than 1.19 million lives are lost in road crashes across the world. In India alone, over 165,000 people die annually in such incidents—an enormous human and economic tragedy that costs the country an estimated 3 per cent of its GDP. As the world observed the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week from 12 to 18 May, under the theme 'Streets for Life – Make Walking and Cycling Safe', it is time for our cities to confront this crisis head-on, especially for the sake of their most vulnerable road users. Recognising this, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has launched several people-first mobility initiatives. Also Read: Reckless drivers, beware! This Pune engineer keeps score with his traffic violation hall of shame Building India's first 15-minute city At the heart of PCMC's efforts is Harit Setu—India's first 15-Minute City pilot, located in Pradhikaran, Nigdi. Through this initiative, PCMC is redesigning key corridors to ensure that essential services, public spaces, and transit options are within safe walking or cycling distance. The project is being led by the newly formed Urban Mobility Department, reflecting PCMC's commitment to sustainable and inclusive transport planning. Harit Setu also aims to improve last-mile connectivity by integrating public transport modes—such as the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and metro—with safe, non-motorised transport infrastructure. Complementary measures such as lowering speed limits, redesigning high-risk locations, removing black spots, and introducing Safe School Zones in partnership with the Pimpri Chinchwad Police are making the city's streets safer, step by step. PCMC is also part of two global road safety programmes: the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI). Pimpri Chinchwad is the only Asian city selected for BICI—a recognition of its leadership in promoting cycling. With support from partners like the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy-India (ITDP), and Prasanna Desai Architects, the city is implementing world-class design principles to protect all road users. In a landmark move, PCMC has officially endorsed the Global Street Design Guide, further aligning its planning framework with international best practices. Redesign the roads, not just rules Despite progress, challenges remain—especially speeding, which continues to be a leading cause of road deaths. A rethink is needed in how we classify and design roads. Instead of relying solely on categories like arterial and sub-arterial, cities must adopt a context-sensitive approach that aligns street design with actual user behaviour. Research shows that a small number of high-speed roads often account for the majority of pedestrian fatalities. These roads need to be redesigned with appropriate speed limits and built-in traffic-calming features, in line with Indian Road Congress standards. Strong enforcement is equally vital. Installing speed cameras, expanding CCTV coverage, and ensuring coordination between PCMC, the Traffic Police, and the Regional Transport Office will help create a safer and more accountable road environment. Good street design can itself act as a form of self-enforcement—encouraging safer behaviour without the need for constant policing. Of course, change is not always welcomed. Some stakeholders argue that narrower lanes and lower speed limits cause traffic delays or harm economic activity. But evidence from cities around the world shows the opposite—well-designed, safer streets make neighbourhoods more vibrant, healthier, and economically resilient. Also Read: 460 road deaths every day—10 Indian states have come up with safety models. It's working Road safety is everyone's job To make a lasting impact, Pimpri Chinchwad must foster a city-wide culture of road safety. Civic authorities cannot do it alone. Citizens, schools, colleges, resident welfare groups, and companies all have a role to play in promoting walking and cycling. Drivers must learn to respect pedestrian crossings and cyclists' right of way. Public awareness campaigns—on speed limits, helmets, seatbelts, and traffic discipline—must be expanded across media platforms. Change will only come when people are empowered to be part of the solution. The city already has the data, pilot projects, and planning tools. Now, what's needed is collective resolve—from policymakers, enforcers, and citizens alike—to put people before vehicles. If Pimpri Chinchwad succeeds in cutting road crash fatalities by half by 2030, it will not only save hundreds of lives—it will also chart a new path for urban India. The journey to zero traffic deaths is long, but it begins with a single, safe step. Let this be the moment Pimpri-Chinchwad chooses Streets for Life—and in doing so, chooses a safer, healthier future for all. Shekhar Singh, IAS, is the Municipal Commissioner and Administrator of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Jashwanth Tej Kasala is Program Manager, Global Designing Cities Initiative. Views are personal. (Edited by Asavari Singh)
