A major disaster was narrowly avoided on Tuesday evening when a large hoarding collapsed during heavy rainfall in the Sanaswadi area near Wagholi on the Pune-Nagar Highway. The incident occurred as intense rain lashed the city, causing the massive structure to give way and fall onto the road, trapping seven to eight two-wheelers underneath. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
According to eyewitnesses, traffic had slowed down due to the rain, which helped prevent a more serious accident. The hoarding, reportedly tall and wide, collapsed suddenly, causing panic among commuters. Local residents, along with traffic police, immediately initiated relief operations at the site. The fire brigade and disaster management teams also arrived promptly and successfully removed the trapped vehicles from the wreckage.
Authorities have begun an investigation to determine whether the collapsed hoarding had the necessary permissions from the administration. Police are conducting a thorough inquiry, and action is expected to be taken against the advertising company responsible.
Following the incident, fear has gripped the area, with residents demanding strict action and preventive measures against hazardous hoardings. The collapse has also raised broader concerns about the safety of old and unstable hoardings across Pune city. Citizens are now urging the municipal administration to conduct an urgent inspection of all such structures and immediately remove any that pose a risk to public safety.
Locals are also calling for accountability, insisting that strict action be taken against officials who may have been negligent in monitoring the installation and maintenance of such hoardings. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by neglected infrastructure, especially during adverse weather conditions.