In a tragic incident in Maharashtra’s Pune district, three women pilgrims of the revered Ashadhi Wari were killed and seven others were injured after a truck rammed through a group of pilgrims walking on Saswad Jejuri Road this morning.
According to preliminary information, the driver of the truck carrying warkaris from Nanded district lost control of the vehicle near Belsar toll plaza and ran over multiple warkaris, who were undertaking the pilgrimage on foot from Sangli.
Expressing deep grief, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the injured have been admitted to the nearest hospital. He also announced financial assistance of five lakh rupees for the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Pune’s Guardian Minister, Sunetra Pawar visited the hospital in Jejuri to meet the injured. Speaking to reporters, Mrs. Pawar said the administration has been directed to ensure best possible medical care. While adding that an investigation is on to ascertain the cause of the accident, the Deputy Chief Minister urged motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving on the pilgrimage route.
The annual pilgrimage or Wari towards Pandharpur Temple began last week. Thousands of pilgrims from Maharashtra undertake the pilgrimage, mostly on foot, to celebrate Ashadi Ekadashi that falls on 25th July this year.
