Nagpur: Another senior citizen out on a morning walk has died due to rash driving in the city. This time, a 76-year-old man became a victim of a hit-and-run accident on Manewada Road. Weeks ago, a morning walker was killed in a hit-and-run near Japanese Garden.The deceased, Prabhakar Ujwane, had stepped out for his morning walk from his home in Old Subhedar Layout on Tuesday around 6am. Hudkeshwar police said an unidentified vehicle hit him near a private hospital on the road from Manewada Square to Tukdoji Putla and fled.A seriously injured Ujwane was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead during treatment.Based on a complaint lodged by his son, Rohit Ujwane (50), police registered a case against the driver of the unidentified vehicle. Police have launched a search for the vehicle and driver.The incident has once again put the spotlight on pedestrian safety in the city, particularly during early-morning hours. Less than a month ago, Kailash Sondia was killed in a hit-and-run by a speeding SUV near Japanese Garden. In April, 72-year-old Mangala Ramdas Kewate was killed in a hit-and-run near Traffic Park in Khare Town, Dharampeth.Senior police inspector Anamika Mirzapure told TOI no CCTV footage has been found yet. Mirzapure said the accident occurred early in the morning when traffic was relatively thin.Former DCP (Traffic) Jivraj Dabhade said the lack of usable, obstruction-free footpaths is one of the factors that pushes pedestrians onto roads. Dabhade also called for a stronger static police presence at city junctions, saying merely patrolling roads may not be enough to deter rash driving.
