Maharashtra Health Minister Orders Free Treatment for Injured Pilgrims After Fatal Crash

A tragic road accident on July 13 near Jeurri toll plaza halted a warakari (pilgrim) convoy in Pune. At approximately 8:30 a.m., a truck surged into the procession, killing three participants – Rajshri Shankar Bhosle, 62; Madhvi Rajaram Sarvade, 55; and Nanda Pawar, 52 – and leaving many others wounded.

Maharashtra’s Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar promptly issued an order that all medical care for the injured warakaris be provided free of charge under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. The directive encompasses medication, laboratory tests, imaging, and specialist consultations.

Key officials – Pune District Council CEO Gajanan Patil, District Surgeon Dr. Nitin Devmane, District Health Officer Dr. Ramchandra Hankare, and Rural Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Pratap Salve – arrived on site to coordinate relief and oversee the allocation of resources.

Post‑mortem procedures for the deceased are being performed at Jeurri Rural Hospital, and authorities are arranging transport of the bodies to their home villages. Injured seniors such as Geetabai Shelara (70), Shailja Dinkar Jagatap (60) and Mangal Vilas Patil (70) are receiving treatment at the same facility. Seven severely injured patients have been shifted to Anandhi Hospital, with one case transferred to the Sasoon Sarvopchar Hospital for further critical care.

The health department is continuously tracking patient conditions, reporting that the emergency response remains effective and the overall scenario is under control. Minister Abitkar emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguard every pilgrim’s health during the Vaar.