Pune: A tragic accident occurred near the Nira-Lonand area on the Pune-Pandharpur Palkhi Highway, where a young woman was killed and two others seriously injured after their motorcycle fell into an unmarked pit.

The deceased has been identified as Ankita Dhaygude (20), while the injured are Vishal Daulat Dhaygude (27) and Sanika Vilas Dhaygude (18). The incident took place around 7:30 am on Monday (January 6) near the Manik Sona Petrol Pump.

The three were traveling on a motorcycle when it fell into a pit that had been dug for waterline repairs by the Lonand Nagar Panchayat. Ankita died on the spot due to the fall, while Vishal and Sanika were seriously injured.

According to local reports, the contractor responsible for the waterline repairs had not placed any barriers or warning signs around the pit. As a result, the pit filled with water, making it invisible to drivers. Locals believe that the lack of proper signage and the accumulation of water in the pit contributed to the fatal accident.

Following the incident, villagers from Balupatalachiwadi blocked the Rajmata Ahilyadevi Chowk in Lonand for nearly half an hour, demanding that a case be filed against those responsible for the unmarked pit and that strict action be taken.

Assistant Police Inspector Sushil Bhosale from the Lonand Police Station intervened and spoke with the protestors, bringing them to the police station. The process of filing a case at the Lonand Police Station was ongoing late in the day.