Chinchwad: An autorickshaw driver and his intoxicated accomplice caused a major disruption on Monday (December 23) afternoon after colliding with an MSRTC (State Transport) bus on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway. The accident occurred near St. Xavier’s Church in Chinchwad and resulted in a traffic jam lasting over an hour and a half. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The ST bus (registration number MH-20 BL 3225) was en route from Bhiwandi to Gangapur and was heading toward Chinchwad from Akurdi when the autorickshaw (registration number MH-14 KU 1125) struck its rear with considerable force. The impact damaged the bus’s rear panel, and the autorickshaw became lodged in the damaged portion of the bus.

Witnesses, including the bus passengers and driver, stated that the autorickshaw driver and his accomplice were heavily intoxicated. They began arguing with each other, verbally abusing the bus driver, and creating chaos. The duo, holding stones in their hands, wandered around the scene and further damaged the bus by cutting its wires, leaving it immobile.

Police officers arrived at the scene promptly and detained the autorickshaw driver and his accomplice. The damaged autorickshaw was removed from the bus, and traffic was restored. Both individuals were taken into custody and subjected to medical examinations to confirm alcohol consumption.

Police Sub-Inspector C.D. Salunkhe from the Pimpri Police Station stated that a case has been registered, and further investigations are ongoing.