Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A 20-year-old student, Omkar Khanse, was crushed to death by a municipal garbage dumper while returning home on his moped after appearing for a practical examination. The accident occurred around 12 noon on Wednesday near Barapulla Gate.
After spending some time with friends at college, Omkar was heading towards Chhawani via Mill Corner when the dumper, operated by a driver appointed through the civic body’s garbage collection contractor, ran him over from the front. The impact was severe, causing fatal head injuries. Chhawani police sent the body to Government Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem.
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Bright and affable student
Originally from Dinapur in Paithan tehsil, Omkar’s family had settled in Waluj a few years ago. His uncle is a construction businessman and his aunt serves as the deputy sarpanch of Dinapur. The family lives together. On receiving news of the accident, his cousin Rohit rushed to the hospital. The sight of Omkar’s body left family members and friends in deep shock, with many gathering outside the mortuary.
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Driver arrested, case registered
The municipal corporation has outsourced garbage collection to a private contractor, who employs contractual drivers to operate civic vehicles. Following the accident, the dumper driver, Jamil Shaikh (38), a resident of Shahabazar, fled the scene. Police later detained him and registered a case.
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Questions over reckless civic drivers
Residents have repeatedly raised concerns over rash driving by municipal garbage dumpers, small tempos operating in narrow lanes, and even Smart City buses. With most drivers appointed on a contractual basis, accountability remains a concern. Omkar’s death has reignited questions over who will rein in negligent civic drivers before more lives are lost.