Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Banker Couple on Mumbai-Nashik Highway
A devastating road accident on the Mumbai-Nashik highway near Thane has claimed the lives of a banker couple from Bhandup. The fatal collision occurred on Saturday morning when a container truck struck their motorcycle near the Kharegaon exit, resulting in both victims being declared dead upon arrival at a government hospital.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The victims have been identified as Kalpesh Rewale and his wife Meenakshi, both employed with private banks in Mumbai. According to police reports, the accident took place around 7:30 am as the couple was returning from Dombivli after visiting an ailing relative who had been admitted to a hospital there.
Investigating officer API Ratnaji Gaikwad of Kalwa police station revealed that the couple had visited their relative late Friday evening and likely decided to return home early the next day to report for work. The tragic sequence unfolded as the container truck, headed toward JNPT and attempting to take the Kharegaon exit, collided with the couple's motorcycle traveling toward Mumbai.
Investigation and Eyewitness Accounts
The police investigation suggests the victims may have been in the truck's blind spot as the vehicle attempted to turn left near a diversion. The impact caused the couple to lose balance and fall onto the road, where they were subsequently run over by the heavy vehicle.
"Local residents immediately apprehended the truck driver and handed him over to Kalwa police," confirmed authorities. Police are currently recording statements from eyewitnesses and have sourced CCTV footage from the nearby toll plaza to reconstruct the exact sequence of events.
Family's Heartbreaking Response
Family member Aniket shared the emotional aftermath, stating, "We haven't broken the news of their death to their elderly parents yet. We will be conducting the final rites at our native place in Ratnagiri." The couple was rushed to a government hospital following the accident but was declared dead on arrival.
Recurring Safety Concerns on the Highway Corridor
This tragic incident marks the second fatal accident reported on this stretch in recent days. On April 14, a 26-year-old driver was killed and four IT professionals were injured when their car crashed into a stationary trailer near the Kharegaon toll naka.
These consecutive accidents have raised serious concerns about safety on the busy Mumbai-Nashik highway corridor, particularly for vulnerable two-wheeler riders navigating heavy vehicular traffic. The highway, currently undergoing expansion to 12 lanes, serves as a crucial link between Mumbai, Thane, and North Maharashtra, connecting to the Samruddhi Expressway.
Ongoing Infrastructure Challenges
The highway expansion project, while aimed at improving connectivity, has created challenging conditions for commuters. The combination of construction activities, increased heavy vehicle traffic, and temporary diversions has created hazardous conditions that require enhanced safety measures and driver awareness.
Authorities are emphasizing the need for improved safety protocols, better signage, and increased vigilance from both commercial vehicle operators and individual commuters using this vital transportation artery.
