Nagpur: Two days after 31-year-old Ashwini Phalke was crushed to death by a gravel-laden tipper on Godhani Road, the city traffic police on Thursday imposed a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles between Zingabai Takli and Godhani village from 6am to 10pm. The decision comes amid mounting public outrage over two fatalities reported on the stretch in just 34 days.
Currently, heavy vehicles are banned from operating in city limits from 8am to 12 noon and 4pm to 10pm. The swift action follows Tuesday’s horrific accident in which Ashwini was crushed under the wheels of a tipper while her husband and son sustained severe injuries. The incident triggered widespread anger among locals, who accused the authorities of turning a blind eye to the movement of heavy vehicles on the narrow and congested road. Despite this, heavy vehicles defy orders with impunity while traffic police remain mute spectators. Following the accident, hundreds of residents blocked the road for nearly four hours, demanding immediate measures to prevent further fatalities.
TOI on Thursday reported that the truck did not have permission to ply on city roads during restricted hours; despite this, it was openly travelling in city limits carrying sand.