Pune: Two Died On The Spot In Hit-and-Run Accident On Alandi-Pandharpur Highway; Investigation Underway

Pune, 24th February 2025: A tragic accident on the Alandi-Pandharpur National Palkhi Highway near Daundaj claimed the lives of two youths on Sunday (23rd February) afternoon around 4.00 pm. A two-wheeler was hit by an unidentified vehicle, whose driver fled the scene without stopping.

The victims, identified as Amol Vitthal Dagde (38) and Digvijay Yashwant Kolte (34), died on the spot following the collision. According to Jejuri police, the duo was traveling from Daundaj towards Jejuri when an unknown vehicle, approaching from the opposite direction, crashed into their two-wheeler head-on. The driver of the vehicle responsible for the crash immediately fled with the vehicle, evading capture.

Assistant Police Inspector Deepak Wakchaure of Jejuri Police Station has initiated an investigation into the incident. Authorities are attempting to identify the vehicle and its driver.

The Alandi-Pandharpur National Highway is currently undergoing development, but the ongoing construction has raised concerns about safety. The Sivri to Nira stretch, in particular, has seen a sharp rise in accidents, with seven to eight fatalities reported in the past two months alone. The widened roads have led to increased speeding, exacerbating the risk of collisions.

Several organizations have repeatedly demanded the installation of speed breakers, traffic signals, and zebra crossings at village intersections along the highway to curb accidents. However, these demands have largely been ignored, and crucial safety measures remain unimplemented. While construction is progressing rapidly, urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life. The latest accident has intensified calls for immediate intervention to improve road safety in the area.