Pune, 19th October 2026: A 69-year-old man died after falling into a deep pit dug by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for sewage pipeline work in Yerawada. The deceased, identified as Pradeep Laxman Pardeshi, a resident of Yerawada, reportedly lost his balance after an autorickshaw hit him while he was walking near Chitra Chowk.
According to Senior Police Inspector Yuvraj Nandre, sewage pipeline work is underway in the Chitra Chowk area, leaving only one lane open and narrowing the road. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, October 17, when Pardeshi was struck by an autorickshaw and fell into the excavation along with the barricades.
Local residents pulled him out and rushed him to a hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries early on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses alleged that adequate safety measures had not been taken around the pit and that the barricades were of poor quality. The excavation had left the road narrow, raising concerns about the safety of pedestrians and other road users.
Police said they would register a case against those responsible after receiving a complaint from Pardeshi’s family. The process of filing the case at Laxminagar Police Station was underway late on Sunday.
Meanwhile, corporator Avinash Salve wrote to the PMC Commissioner, demanding that the contractor be booked for culpable homicide. He alleged that administrative negligence had led to the senior citizen’s death.