Pune: PMC Told To Pay ₹6 Lakh To Family Of Boy Killed In Pothole Accident

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been directed to pay ₹6 lakh in compensation to the family of a 10-year-old boy who died in a road accident on Sus-Mhalunge Road after the motorcycle he was travelling on with his father and sister lost balance on a pothole.

PMC Standing Committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale instructed Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishor Ram to initiate the compensation process without waiting for a complaint from the bereaved family. He said the civic body should take suo motu cognisance of the incident and place the matter before the concerned committee.

The boy, Viraj Patole, was travelling as a pillion rider with his father, Sandeep, and sister when a truck brushed against their two-wheeler. The motorcycle lost balance and all three fell. The boy came under the wheels of the truck. The family resides in the Maan area.

Bhimale said the PMC should also conduct an inquiry to identify the agency responsible for maintaining the road and fix accountability on the concerned officer, engineer or contractor for failing to repair the pothole. “It is the responsibility of the municipal corporation to provide safe roads. The victim’s family should not be made to wait for help when there is a clear order from the court,” Bhimale said.

The compensation follows a Bombay High Court order under which local authorities are required to initially compensate families of people who die due to potholes or open drains, with the amount later recoverable from officials or contractors found responsible.