Pune: Speeding Car Claims Life of Man on NIBM Annexe Road; Residents Demand Safety Audit

Mohammadwadi, 21st October 2025: A 27-year-old milk delivery worker lost his life in a fatal road crash early Tuesday morning on the newly constructed cement-concrete stretch near Raheja Premier society in the NIBM Annexe–Mohammadwadi area. The incident has sparked widespread outrage among residents, who have renewed their calls for immediate safety interventions on the corridor.

The deceased has been identified as Sunny Ambadas Misal, a resident of Tadiwala Road. Police said Misal was on his regular morning delivery route around 6:30 am when a speeding Fiat Punto allegedly hit his two-wheeler from behind near S.M. Ghule Chowk.

The car, reportedly driven by Aman Sameer Maniyar (21), a resident of Handewadi, had three other passengers from the Kondhwa–Handewadi area. Misal sustained severe head injuries and leg fractures. He was first rushed to Ruby Hall Clinic and later shifted to Command Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

API Ratnadeep Gaikwad of the Kadepadal Police Station said the car appeared to be travelling at an excessive speed when the driver lost control.

“It’s a straight, open stretch with clear visibility. Preliminary findings suggest overspeeding. We have collected the driver’s blood samples at Sassoon Hospital for testing (drunk driving), and the report is awaited,” Gaikwad stated.

Police have registered a case under Sections 106, 281, 125(a), 125(b), and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Following the tragedy, residents and civic activists from the area have blamed poor road planning and lack of enforcement for the growing number of accidents on the corridor. They alleged that the driver came out of a restaurant, which remains open till morning.

Jaymala Dhankikar, Director of the NIBM Annexe Citizens’ Forum, said citizens had repeatedly warned authorities about potential safety risks.
“For six months, we’ve been urging the Chief Minister’s Office to order an IRC-compliant audit of the newly opened S.M. Ghule–Lavanya Hotel corridor. The design flaws and lack of monitoring have made it a death trap. This accident could have been avoided,” Dhankikar said.

Raj Singh, a resident of Raheja Premier society, said the new road has inadvertently turned into a hotspot for reckless driving. “ Such an incident highlights the urgent need for better road safety and responsible driving in our area. We sincerely appeal to all concerned authorities, including the road department, traffic police, and local administration, to immediately complete the pending road and divider work near the Raheja Vista Reserve Gate to avoid further mishaps. We also request the police department to ensure regular night patrolling, especially during early morning hours, to prevent reckless driving and speeding incidents. Safety measures, proper lighting, and clear road markings must be prioritized to protect both residents and daily commuters. Let this tragic loss remind everyone to drive safely, stay alert, and value every human life. Safe roads are everyone’s responsibility,” Singh warned.

Residents have demanded an urgent Indian Roads Congress (IRC) safety audit, installation of CCTV surveillance, and strict enforcement by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and traffic police.

Social activist Ashok Mehendale said the tragedy reflects a failure of planning and governance. “This is not just an accident—it’s an administrative lapse. The road was opened without safety audits, traffic engineering checks, or enforcement systems. Civic officials and the traffic department must be held accountable,” he said, calling for an independent probe.