Pune: Youth Critically Injured After Rope Slashes Neck During Tree Trimming Work in Karve Nagar
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Karve Nagar, 12th February 2026: A young man suffered life-threatening injuries after a rope tied during tree trimming work suddenly came across the road and struck his neck while he was riding a two-wheeler with a friend in Karve Nagar on Wednesday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 2 pm near Meghraj Housing Society, close to Alankar Police Station.
Two friends, Rameshwar Avatikar and Sudhir Landge, were travelling on a motorcycle when they failed to notice a rope stretched across the road. The rope hit Avatikar directly on the neck. Due to the speed of the vehicle, the rope cut into his throat, causing severe bleeding. Both riders fell off the bike and were injured.
Local residents rushed to their help and immediately shifted them to a nearby private hospital. Doctors found that Avatikar had suffered serious injuries to his neck and food pipe (esophagus). His condition is reported to be critical.
The accident took place while Meghraj Housing Society and its contractor were trimming tree branches inside the society premises. Although permission had been taken from the Warje–Karve Nagar ward office of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), mandatory safety protocols were allegedly not followed.
As per rules, such work requires prior intimation to the PMC, the presence of an assistant garden superintendent or horticulture supervisor, and police permission to temporarily block the road. None of these steps were followed, leading to the incident, officials said.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Asmita Tambe visited the hospital and gathered details about the incident. “We had granted permission for trimming the branches, but the society and contractor failed to follow the safety procedures. Police permission for road closure was not taken. Further action will be taken after the police investigation,” she said.
The Alankar police have registered a case and are conducting further inquiries.
Tree Trimming Negligence a Recurring Issue
Every year, hundreds of trees and branches fall across Pune, damaging vehicles and, in some cases, claiming lives. Civic officials say that negligence during pruning and trimming work is a recurring problem. Although societies are required to follow strict safety rules, these are often ignored. Delays in permissions and lack of monitoring by civic authorities have also given private contractors a free hand.
Had proper safety measures been followed in this case, the accident could have been avoided, officials and residents said.
