A tragic accident on a notoriously bad road in Nagpur claimed the life of a 55-year-old man on Saturday. The victim, Bhaulal Bhondekar, was crushed under a water tanker belonging to a contractor working for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The incident occurred on a narrow, pothole-riddled stretch between Kamal Chowk and Pachpaoli railway crossing.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The accident took place between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Bhaulal Bhondekar, a resident of Samta Nagar, was riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by his friend, Nemchand Bisen (50). As they navigated the bumpy, unrepaired surface stretching from Kamal Chowk Railway Crossing to Golibar Chowk, a water tanker approaching from behind grazed their bike.
This caused Bisen to lose balance. Bhondekar fell onto the road and was tragically run over by the rear wheels of the tanker. The tanker was allegedly being driven rashly despite the visibly poor condition of the road. Bhondekar, a daily wage earner, was rushed to Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (Mayo Hospital), where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Bisen also suffered hand injuries after hitting an old, broken tree guard on the roadside and is currently undergoing treatment.
Public Outrage and Police Action
Local residents and commuters have long complained about the hazardous condition of this stretch, which has deteriorated due to ongoing work on the Indora-Dighori flyover project undertaken by NHAI. The construction has led to barricading, diversions, and digging, severely damaging the road.
"We have been complaining for months about these potholes near the railway crossing and towards Golibar Chowk," said a local shopkeeper near Kamal Chowk. "Construction vehicles and tankers constantly ply here, but no one fixes the roads. This accident was waiting to happen."
In a controversial move, Pachpaoli police staff allegedly manhandled passers-by who were recording video of the accident scene for evidence. The police have since registered a case against the tanker driver, identified as Rakesh Kumar Nirmal. He has been charged under Sections 281 (rash driving), 106(1) (causing death by negligence), and 125(A) (endangering life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Both vehicles involved have been seized, and police are investigating the tanker's speed and the driver's actions.
Calls for Accountability and Safety
The fatal incident has sparked renewed anger over infrastructure projects that compromise commuter safety. Locals are demanding immediate action to repair the damaged roads and hold negligent contractors accountable.
A local resident emphasized, "Authorities must act swiftly and repair the affected stretch, impose penalties on errant contractors, and prioritize commuter safety amid infrastructure projects." The case highlights the critical need for enforcing safety protocols and maintaining basic road conditions, especially in areas with heavy construction activity, to prevent such preventable loss of life.
