Mumbai: Potholes claimed another life on Friday morning, with a building material supplier being run over by a truck when his two-wheeler skidded over a pothole on the road leading to Gandhari Bridge in Kalyan (west).
The incident occurred at 2 a.m. when Kalpesh Jadhav (29) was returning to his village Narsari from Kalyan. Jadhav was taken to Rukminibai Government Hospital, but he was declared dead before admission.
The truck driver fled the spot. The police said they have no further information about the driver other than the truck number. “Jadhav could not estimate the depth of the pothole. We have temporarily filled up the pothole,” said Balasaheb Kadam, senior police inspector, Khadakpada police station.
Jadhav was married just six months ago. His family has demanded action against the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC). His cousin Ajay Sawant said the police should also take action against the local corporators. “People have died. Locals complained about this road, which connects Kalyan to Nashik, but nothing has been done,” Mr. Sawant said.
Sunil Vayle, a former corporator, said he had approached the civic body about the issue, but it did not do anything. Govind Bodke, KDMC commissioner, was unavailable for comment.
Increasing toll
Jadhav’s death has taken the pothole-related casualties in Kalyan to five since June.
On Wednesday, a 45-year-old labourer lost his life after being mowed down by a truck on Kalyan–Nevali road near Ulhasnagar. The Hill Line police said he lost his footing and fell into a pothole. The truck driver was later arrested.
A day before, Hasim Shaikh (40) was killed after a truck lost control over a pothole and crashed into his autorickshaw, while Kalyan resident Manisha Bhoir fell off while riding pillion on her friend’s bike and was run over by a bus.
On January 23, Jayshilan Ayyakutty (12) was hit by a truck at Rambaug and died. On June 2, five-year-old Aarav Atharle was thrown off his father’s bike when it passed over a pothole at high speed in Shivaji Chowk and was mowed down by a truck.
