Bhiwandi: A 46-year-old woman was killed and her husband injured after their scooter skidded into a pothole on Thane-Bhiwandi Road at Rahanal village on Sunday, throwing them onto the road before the woman was run over by a truck, police said.The deceased was identified as Sunita Akshaylal Pal (46), a resident of Manorama Nagar in Thane. Her husband, Akshaylal Pal, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.According to police, the couple was travelling on an Activa scooter towards Anjur Phata in Bhiwandi to inspect a newly purchased flat when the accident occurred. As they were passing through Rahanal village, the scooter hit a large pothole on the concrete road that was filled with rainwater, making it difficult for the rider to gauge its depth.The impact caused the scooter to skid, throwing both riders onto the road. While Akshaylal fell towards the left, Sunita landed on the right side. A truck approaching from behind allegedly ran over her before it could stop, killing her on the spot.On receiving information, a team from Narpoli police station rushed to the spot and conducted a panchnama. The body was sent to Bhiwandi sub-district IGM hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.The incident has once again brought the poor condition of roads in Bhiwandi and its surrounding areas into focus. Several stretches of Thane-Bhiwandi Road and adjoining roads have developed large potholes despite being concretised. During the monsoon, these potholes remain submerged under rainwater, making them virtually invisible to motorists and increasing the risk of accidents.Local residents and the victim’s relatives blamed the civic authorities for failing to repair the dangerous potholes despite repeated complaints. They demanded immediate repairs to the damaged road stretches and sought financial assistance for the bereaved family, warning that more lives could be lost if the hazardous conditions are not addressed without delay.
