Thane: Over 200 villagers from Bhiwandi-Wada Road staged a protest and blocked the highway for nearly an hour on Wednesday after a 17-year-old boy died during treatment following a motorcycle accident caused by a pothole.
Teen Dies After Pothole-Induced Accident
The deceased, Yash More, was riding pillion with Balaji Ghutke and Ghutke’s son on a motorcycle around 4:30 AM on July 20. The bike reportedly skidded on a pothole-ridden stretch of the Bhiwandi-Wada Road, causing the trio to fall.
Yash and Ghutke’s son sustained serious injuries, while Ghutke suffered minor injuries. Both youth were going for gym and Balaji went to Bhiwandi when they met with an accident.
The injured were initially taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors referred Yash to a private hospital in Thane for further treatment. He was declared dead on Wednesday during treatment.
Initial FIR Filed Against Motorcycle Rider
Ironically, an initial FIR had been filed against Balaji Ghutke, the motorcycle rider, at Bhiwandi Taluka Police Station.
Angry Villagers Block Highway in Protest
Angry over the incident, villagers gathered and blocked the Bhiwandi-Wada Road at around 4:30 PM, demanding police register an FIR against the Public Works Department (PWD) officials and the road contractor responsible for maintenance.
Police intervened and assured the crowd that appropriate action would be taken. The protest was called off by 5:30 PM, and the ambulance carrying Yash’s body was allowed to proceed for final rites.
Senior Inspector Confirms Investigation
Senior Police Inspector Harshvardhan Barve of Bhiwandi Taluka said, “We received information that villagers had blocked the Bhiwandi-Wada Road. We rushed to the spot and called for additional police support to manage the protest. We assured the villagers that action would be taken against the PWD officials and the contractor, after which the protest ended and the body was moved for the final rites.”
