Pune man, 69, dies after falling into PMC drainage pit in Yerawada
Synopsis
A 69-year-old Pune resident died after an autorickshaw allegedly brushed against him and he fell into an open PMC drainage excavation pit near a busy vegetable market. No formal complaint has been filed yet, and the incident puts civic construction site safety back in the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Pradeep Pardeshi , 69 , a resident of Yerawada, Pune , died on 17 October 2025 after falling into a PMC drainage pit.
The pit, measuring 8 to 10 feet deep, was dug for a Pune Municipal Corporation drainage line project near Chitra Chowk vegetable market .
An autorickshaw allegedly brushed against Pardeshi, causing him to lose balance and fall; he succumbed to injuries at Shubhankar Hospital that evening.
Drainage work had been ongoing at the site for 15 days ; barricades were reportedly installed around the pit.
No formal police complaint has been registered yet; the family said they would file one after completing last rites.
A 69-year-old man died after tumbling into an 8 to 10-foot-deep excavation pit dug for a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) drainage line project in the Yerawada area of Pune, Maharashtra, police confirmed on Sunday, 18 October 2025. The deceased has been identified as Pradeep Pardeshi, a resident of Yerawada.
How the Incident Unfolded
The mishap occurred at approximately 12.30 pm on 17 October near Chitra Chowk vegetable market in Yerawada. According to police, Pardeshi was walking along the road when an autorickshaw passing nearby allegedly brushed against him, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the open excavation pit.
He was immediately rushed to Shubhankar Hospital in Yerawada, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment later that evening. The Laxmi Nagar Police Station received information about the incident through a medico-legal case (MLC) intimation on the morning of 18 October.
What Police Have Said
Senior Police Inspector Yuvraj Nandre of Laxmi Nagar Police Station said drainage line work had been underway at the location for the past 15 days and that barricades had been installed around the excavation site as a precautionary measure. He noted that initial information received was inconsistent with what later emerged. 'Initially, we were informed that a vehicle had skidded and fallen into the pit, resulting in the death of a person. We made some inquiries following the information,' Nandre said.
Police subsequently contacted the family of the deceased to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
No Formal Complaint Yet
As of the time of reporting, no formal complaint had been registered in the case. According to Nandre, the family members indicated they would visit the police station after performing the last rites and lodge a formal complaint thereafter. Further action will be initiated once that complaint is submitted.
Civic Safety Under Scrutiny
The incident has once again drawn attention to safety arrangements at road excavation sites during ongoing civic infrastructure projects in Pune. This is not the first time inadequate safeguards at PMC work sites have been flagged — critics argue that barricading alone is insufficient, particularly on busy stretches near markets and pedestrian zones where foot and vehicular traffic is dense. The proximity of the pit to Chitra Chowk vegetable market meant pedestrian exposure was predictably high at midday.
Authorities are expected to review site safety protocols at active PMC excavation sites across the city once a formal complaint is on record.
Point of View
Not a safety guarantee — particularly in dense urban pockets where pedestrians and autorickshaws share narrow stretches. Pune has seen repeated incidents of civic work-site negligence, yet enforcement of site safety norms remains patchy. Until the PMC and state authorities mandate illuminated barriers, dedicated safety personnel, and real-time inspection at excavation sites, these deaths will recur and accountability will remain contingent on whether a family chooses to file a complaint.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the man who died in the Pune drainage pit accident?
The deceased was Pradeep Pardeshi, a 69-year-old resident of Yerawada, Pune. He fell into an 8 to 10-foot-deep excavation pit near Chitra Chowk vegetable market on 17 October 2025 and succumbed to his injuries at Shubhankar Hospital the same evening.
What caused Pradeep Pardeshi to fall into the pit?
According to police, an autorickshaw passing nearby allegedly brushed against Pardeshi while he was walking along the road, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the open drainage excavation pit.
Was the excavation site properly barricaded?
Senior Police Inspector Yuvraj Nandre stated that barricades had been installed around the excavation site as a precautionary measure. However, critics argue that standard barricading is insufficient near high-footfall areas like vegetable markets.
Has any complaint been filed against the Pune Municipal Corporation?
No formal complaint had been registered as of 18 October 2025. The family told police they would visit the station and file a complaint after completing Pardeshi's last rites.
What happens next in this case?
Police have said further action — including any potential case against the autorickshaw driver or the civic agency — will be initiated only after the family lodges a formal complaint. Authorities may also review safety protocols at active PMC excavation sites across Pune.
