Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Two Workers Die in Pune Duct, Renewing Safety Questions
Two workers died after entering an underground duct in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The incident happened near Lokmanya Hospital late on Wednesday night.
Firefighters brought both workers out, but doctors later said they had died.
The men were identified as Manoj Shinde and Amol Shinde.
Police do not yet know why they entered the duct or who sent them there.
They will question Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited employees and others connected with the work.
Three workers had died in the same duct in 2025.
The repeated deaths have raised new concerns about worker safety.
Manoj Baburao Shinde, 26, and Amol Ashok Shinde, 19, died after falling into a duct near Lokmanya Hospital in Nigdi-Pradhikaran.
Firefighters rescued both unconscious workers and took them to YCM Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Police are investigating why the men entered the duct and who assigned them the work.
The duct, associated with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, was the site of three worker deaths in 2025.
Five people have now died in the same duct across two incidents within about a year, according to police.
- Who
- Workers Manoj Baburao Shinde, 26, and Amol Ashok Shinde, 19, died; police are investigating the incident.
- What
- The two men fell or entered an underground duct and were later declared dead at YCM Hospital.
- When
- The latest incident was reported around 11:45 p.m. on August 26; the earlier deaths occurred on August 15, 2025.
- Where
- A duct near Lokmanya Hospital in the Nigdi-Pradhikaran area of Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- Why
- The reason the men entered the duct, who assigned the work, and whether proper safety measures were in place remain under investigation.
Safety Concerns
Pending Official Findings
Repeat deaths at the duct
Safety Concerns
The deaths of five workers in two incidents have renewed concerns that adequate safety measures may not have been put in place after last year's tragedy.
Pending Official Findings
Police have not yet established the exact cause of death or the circumstances that led the latest workers to enter the duct.
Responsibility for the work
Safety Concerns
The incident raises questions about who authorized the workers to enter the duct and whether proper precautions were provided.
Pending Official Findings
Police are still determining whether the men were officially assigned the work and plan to question Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited employees and others connected with it.
- Latest fatalities
- Two workers died in the duct incident.
- Deceased
- Manoj Baburao Shinde, 26, and Amol Ashok Shinde, 19.
- Location
- Near Lokmanya Hospital, Nigdi-Pradhikaran, Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- Rescue response
- Pimpri-Chinchwad fire brigade personnel rescued both workers and handed them to police.
- Earlier incident
- Three workers died in the same duct on August 15, 2025.
- Total deaths
- Police said five people have died in the duct across two incidents within about a year.
- Investigation
- Police are examining the work assignment, the role of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited employees, and safety measures.