Pune: An eatery owner died after a water tanker struck his motorcycle on Saturday around 10:30 am on the Bibvewadi-Lullanagar road. The Market Yard police identified the deceased as Anil Sitaram Alhat (47), a resident of Market Yard.
Later in the day, the Market Yard police detained the water tanker driver (36), a resident of Bibwewadi. A case has also been registered against the tanker owner of Sukhsagar Nagar. A complaint was lodged by Alhat's nephew, Mahadev Gorakh Kamble (37).
According to the police, Alhat was riding his two-wheeler towards Chandralok Chowk from Bibvewadi at around 10:30 am. At that time, the tanker hit his motorcycle from behind. Alhat, who was wearing a helmet, sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Sassoon General Hospital for treatment. He, however, succumbed to his injuries.
The police stated that the tanker owner was aware that the vehicle's fitness certificate had expired. Despite this, he allowed the tanker driver to operate the tanker.
In April, several accidents involving water tankers have occurred. On April 16, a 43-year-old resident of Rasta Peth was killed after a water tanker ran over him in Hadapsar. On April 3 and 5, two youngsters — Aariz Shaikh (19) from Pargenagar and Gracia Daniel Isa (22) from Wanowrie — were killed after separate water tankers hit their two-wheelers on NIBM-Raheja Vista Road and near Ganga Satellite society in Wanowrie, respectively.
Following these accidents, housing societies in NIBM, Undri, and Wanowrie areas have demanded strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to regulate tanker movement. While speaking to TOI, their representatives emphasized that tanker water supply is essential for them but authorities must immediately introduce SOPs to regulate tanker movement. They stressed strict monitoring of tanker operations and road safety awareness among operators.
