Traffic cops avert mishap, save couple in Pune

Two constables and a police sub-inspector of the traffic police had the presence of mind to save an elderly couple and avert a mishap when their two-wheeler caught fire on Pune-Satara Road last week.

Retired Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) engineer, Sudarshan Naik, 73, and his wife, Vasudha, 63, residents of Baner, were travelling on their Bajaj Wave on Pune-Satara Road last Tuesday when the vehicle caught fire at the Utsav Chowk (Market Yard Road) traffic signal.

Other commuters alerted the elderly couple about the flames. The couple alighted and Sudarshan dragged the burning two-wheeler to the side, away from other
commuters.

At that time, traffic constables Kundan Shinde and LV Patil were manning the Utsav Chowk signal. According to Sudarshan, the two policemen pulled him away from the burning vehicle. They picked up a bucket of water from a paan stall nearby and poured it on the scooter.

Sudarshan said, “With no help from passers-by, the two policemen entered a wine shop and got two more buckets of water, with which they doused the flames. Thus, they averted an explosion and injury to several people. I feel they saved our lives.”
He was full of praise for police sub-inspector Kundalik Kaigude.

“Both my wife and I were stressed out and literally trembling when the kind police sub-inspector reached the spot. Kaigude calmed us and offered us water to drink. He helped us call our son, who arrived soon. The speed with which the constables acted and the sensitivity with which the sub-inspector reacted, must be
commended,” he added.

When contacted on Monday, Shinde said, “We just performed our duty. Naik deserves credit for dragging the burning scooter away from the traffic despite his advanced age. He is a very conscientious and courageous citizen who has earned our respect.”

Kaigude said, “I am proud of my team for reacting quickly and dousing the flames.”

Sanket Pawar, workshop manager of Shree Seva Services, authorised Bajaj Auto service station in Wakdewadi, told DNA, “This unusual fire is yet to be investigated. We are not able to give a specific reason for it.”