11-year-old drowns in Virar dam during picnic

The Borade family (from left) Drugeshwari, Vasant, Om, Prerna and Sarika

A family outing turned tragic as 11-year-old Om Borade lost his life after slipping and drowning in the Papad Khind Dam on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Vasant Borade, 52, his wife Sarika Borade, 45, and their son Om Borade, 11, along with Om's friends Vansh, 12, and Ansh, 11, from Kulpada, Virar East, had gathered for a picnic at Papad Khind Dam. Around 5.30 pm, while playing in the shallow water area, Om, Vansh, and Ansh accidentally slipped into the deep waters. Vasant Borade managed to rescue Vansh and Ansh, who had some swimming skills, but tragically, he was unable to save his own son, Om.

Expressing his grief and highlighting the lack of safety measures at the dam, Vasant Borade pleaded with the corporation, stating, "There is no barricade or guard to save someone if they fall, even though many people visit the dam. I request the corporation and government to add security near the dam to prevent such accidents."
Following the incident, an Accidental Death Report (ADR) was filed at the Virar East police station. PSI Saiprasad Pawar, the investigating officer, provided details, stating, "Om's body was found around 8.30 pm by the fire department, approximately three hours after the incident occurred. Despite efforts, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the civil hospital." The tragic loss of Om Borade has deeply affected his family. Vasant Borade, a school bus driver in Kandivali, is devastated by the loss of his son. The family has three other children, Priyanka, 21, Prerna, 19, and Durgeshwari, 15, who were at home in Kulpada when the incident occurred.

As the investigation continues, local residents and concerned citizens are demanding immediate action to improve safety measures at Papad Khind Dam. PSI Saiprasad mentioned that periodic checks are conducted by the corporation and Virar police, but people from Kulpada often visit the dam for picnics and may not always comply with instructions. However, there are currently no plans to install barricades or provide 24-hour security at the dam.