Truck Rams Pilgrims Near Jejuri, 3 Women Killed

A tragic accident occurred on the Saswad–Jejuri road near Bhongale Mala on Monday morning, resulting in the deaths of three women Varkaris and injuring four others. The accident took place when a truck carrying dindi luggage rammed into a group of pilgrims walking towards Jejuri, accompanying Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj's palkhi.

The driver of the truck, identified as Balaji Eknath Dak, a 63-year-old resident of Pimpalgaon in Nanded district, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the pilgrims from behind. The truck, a Tata truck with registration number MH-43 E-4908, was transporting luggage belonging to the Thathe Maharaj Bhoshikar Dindi from Kandhar in Nanded district.

The deceased women have been identified as Nanda Pawar, 70, Madhavi Rajaram Salgare, 55, and Rajshri Shankar Bhosale, 55, all residents of Sangli district. Four other women sustained serious injuries and were shifted to a hospital in Jejuri for treatment.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar visited the injured victims at Jejuri Rural Hospital and expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased. Preliminary police investigations suggest that the driver had consumed medication for fever before driving and may have experienced drowsiness, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

The police have registered a case and are conducting further investigations to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. The incident occurred as thousands of devotees were making their way towards Pandharpur for the annual Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage, resulting in panic and chaos at the spot.

The annual Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage is a significant event in Maharashtra, with thousands of devotees walking towards Pandharpur to pay their respects to Lord Vitthala. The pilgrimage is a testament to the devotion and faith of the people, and the accident has cast a shadow over the festivities.

The incident highlights the need for increased safety measures and awareness among drivers and pilgrims alike. The police and authorities have urged devotees to exercise caution and follow traffic rules to avoid such accidents in the future.

The accident has sent shockwaves across the state, with many expressing their condolences to the families of the deceased. The incident is a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by devotees during the pilgrimage and the need for collective efforts to ensure their safety.

In the aftermath of the accident, the authorities have announced plans to increase security and safety measures along the pilgrimage route. The incident will be thoroughly investigated, and measures will be taken to prevent such accidents in the future.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to be alert and cautious while driving. The incident is a sobering reminder of the risks associated with driving and the need for collective efforts to prevent such accidents.

As the investigation into the accident continues, the people of Maharashtra are coming together to offer their support and condolences to the families of the deceased. The incident has brought the community together, and people are urging the authorities to take measures to prevent such accidents in the future.

In conclusion, the truck accident near Jejuri has resulted in the loss of three lives and injured four others. The incident is a tragic reminder of the risks associated with driving and the need for increased safety measures and awareness. The authorities have announced plans to increase security and safety measures along the pilgrimage route, and the people of Maharashtra are coming together to offer their support and condolences to the families of the deceased.