Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Pothole Death Sparks Outrage Over Pune MLA’s Road Remarks
A 10-year-old boy named Rishabh died in a road accident in Mhalunge.
He was riding with his father and sister on the way to tuition.
Their two-wheeler reportedly lost balance because of a pothole.
The boy fell and was run over by a tempo.
People became angry because they say the roads are in very poor condition.
They asked MLA Shankar Mandekar why the roads had not been fixed.
Mandekar said road projects were delayed by land and planning problems.
He also said money had been approved and that he had raised the issue with the government.
Ten-year-old Rishabh Sandeep Patole died after a two-wheeler hit a pothole and came under a tempo in Mhalunge.
The boy was traveling with his father and sister to tuition on the Nande-Mhalunge road.
Residents blamed potholes and questioned officials and local representatives about the area’s unsafe roads.
Shankar Mandekar faced outrage after reportedly asking residents whether they had noticed the roads before buying flats.
Mandekar said land acquisition and Town Planning Scheme issues delayed road projects, while claiming funds had been approved.
- Who
- Rishabh Sandeep Patole, a 10-year-old boy, died; residents questioned MLA Shankar Mandekar over road conditions.
- What
- A two-wheeler reportedly skidded on a pothole and came under a tempo, killing the boy.
- When
- The accident happened on Monday evening; residents confronted Mandekar on Tuesday.
- Where
- The accident occurred on the Nande-Mhalunge road in Mhalunge, Pune.
- Why
- Residents blamed potholes and poor road conditions, while Mandekar cited land acquisition, Town Planning Scheme and 7/12 land-record issues delaying development.
Residents’ Concerns
MLA’s Explanation
Responsibility for unsafe roads
Residents’ Concerns
Residents blamed potholes for the crash and demanded answers about why roads remained in poor condition despite complaints and claimed funding.
MLA’s Explanation
Shankar Mandekar said road development was being delayed by land acquisition and Town Planning Scheme and 7/12 land-record issues.
Mandekar’s remarks
Residents’ Concerns
Residents viewed his comments about roads and buying flats as insensitive, and his statement that accidents are bound to happen as aggravating their anger.
MLA’s Explanation
Mandekar said he had been raising the issue in the legislature for two years and asked what more he could do.
Road development progress
Residents’ Concerns
Residents questioned why roads had not been improved despite repeated complaints and claims that funds were sanctioned.
MLA’s Explanation
Mandekar claimed that crores of rupees had been approved and that he had personally spent Rs 3 crore on road-related work.
- Victim
- Rishabh Sandeep Patole, aged 10
- Accident location
- Nande-Mhalunge road, Mhalunge
- Date and time
- Monday evening
- Vehicle involved
- A two-wheeler and a tempo
- MLA
- Shankar Mandekar of the Nationalist Congress Party
- Roadwork claim
- Mandekar said crores of rupees had been approved and that he had personally spent Rs 3 crore on road-related work
- Stated delay
- Mandekar attributed delays to land acquisition, the Town Planning Scheme and 7/12 land-record issues