Overview
- A truck belonging to a dindi accompanying the Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi struck a group of Warkari pilgrims on the Saswad–Jejuri road about 500 metres from the Belsar toll plaza, leaving three women dead and multiple others injured.
- Police identified and detained the driver, who investigators say had taken medicine for fever and became drowsy before attempting an overtaking manoeuvre that caused the vehicle to veer into the walkers.
- Authorities and hospitals responded quickly and, following the crash on Monday, moved injured pilgrims to Jejuri hospitals where several were treated in ICU and some were referred to private facilities.
- The Maharashtra government announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia for each family of the deceased and directed that all injured receive free treatment while police registered a case and opened a detailed investigation.
- The crash raises fresh questions about convoy traffic management on Wari routes, including lane segregation, authorised vehicle checks and driver fitness, and officials have said they will review safety arrangements for the continuing pilgrimage.