LETHAL POTHOLES STRIKE AGAIN: 2 DEATHS, BOTH ON 2-WHEELERS

There have been two more pothole deaths – one in Kalyan and the other on the Sion-Panvel highway. In both cases, the victims were riding two-wheelers. Kalyan's killer potholes claimed their fifth victim on Friday. A 26-yearold man died when he was hit by a truck after he fell off his two-wheeler that skidded while negotiating a pothole at Gandhare Bridge in Kalyan.

The stretch between Adharwadi Jail and the KalyanNashik highway is strewn with potholes after five days of heavy downpour.

The police said the deceased was identified as Kalpesh Jadhav, a resident of Nandkar village in Bhiwandi. His family is in the construction business. At 2am on Friday, he had gone to Kalyan for some work and was returning home.

According to Khadakpada Police, "Jadhav was riding his Scooty and fell as he was going over the pothole.

A speeding truck coming in his direction crushed him and killed him on the spot. The truck driver fled immediately after the incident". The police are examining CCTV footage to track the truck driver.

A case has been registered against the unidentified driver under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act.

Shiv Sena leaders in Kalyan claimed that during the period when the Election Commission's model code of conduct was in force in the city, Rs 9 crore worth of tenders for filling potholes could not be finalised.

Jadhav lived with his three brothers and two sisters. He was married to a girl in Kalyan nine months ago.

His family has sought strict action against Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation officials. "A pothole has claimed our brother's life," said his aggrieved siblings.

The second fatality was on the Sion-Panvel highway near Turbhe in Navi Mumbai on the midnight of Thursday. Sani Vishwakarma died on the spot while his friend Kamlesh Yadav is badly injured and hospitalised. Sani was travelling towards Vashi.