Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A municipal corporation towing van lost control while seizing vehicles near Prozone Mall on Thursday around 3 pm, seriously injuring fruit vendor Laxman Nikam (36, Jai Bhavani Nagar) and damaging two parked cars. A mother and son narrowly escaped.
The van, driven by Santosh Pawar, was operating between Moscow Corner and API Corner when it allegedly rammed into Nikam’s two-wheeler and then crashed into roadside vehicles. Nikam was admitted to government medical college and hospital. Locals alleged that civic squad members behaved arrogantly even after the accident. Corporator Shivaji Dandge visited the spot. Vehicles belonging to Baliram Pandurang Pathade (MH-20-EY-9109), Bajrang Navandar (MH-20-DV-6886), and Sheila Dabhade (MH-20-HG-2724) were damaged.
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Questions over speeding municipal vehicles
The incident has revived concerns over speeding municipal vehicles. Recent fatal accidents involving civic vehicles near Bhadkal Gate and Mukundwadi have already drawn criticism.
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Authority under scrutiny
Senior police officials have reportedly stated that the civic squad has no authority to seize vehicles, yet towing drives and fines continue, fuelling public resentment.