Vadodara: A 38-year-old autorickshaw driver, Anil Thakor Vasava, died early Wednesday after his vehicle overturned and fell into a pit on a road in the Sardar Estate area of Vadodara. The accident occurred amid waterlogging caused by light rainfall in the city, triggering backlash against the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) over poor infrastructure and incomplete civic work.

The pit was reportedly left open after drainage work by the VMC, and Vasava — who was the sole breadwinner for his parents, wife, and two children — mistook it for a minor pothole in the rain. His brother, Sunil Vasava, blamed the civic body’s negligence and said the family would file a formal complaint. Medical teams declared Anil dead on the spot.

However, Bapod Police registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the deceased, based on his brother’s statement. The FIR states that Vasava lost control of his vehicle due to speeding, resulting in fatal injuries. Police said no complaint against the VMC had been filed yet, though investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, VMC officials stated that the drainage work had been completed but patching was still pending. A senior official said the driver should have exercised more caution, especially during rains. Patchwork began immediately after the incident, they added.

Both Mayor Pinky Soni and Municipal Commissioner Arun Babu were unavailable for comment. However, Babu later told the media that an inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the accident. DeshGujarat