Site visitors modifications on Ahmednagar Street ease site visitors however put pedestrians in danger

The site visitors police seem to have taken the choice unilaterally with out contemplating the difficulties confronted by pedestrians on account of which pedestrians at the moment are compelled to cross the highway in hazardous situations, usually holding fingers to make sure security amid the fixed rush of site visitors. Designated pedestrian lanes at main crossings have disappeared, and no provisions have been made to manage car speeds after the removing of site visitors alerts. Furthermore, no pedestrian crossings or traffic-calming measures have been launched at these signal-free intersections. The entire absence of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure has made the highway crossings extraordinarily harmful.

Uddhav Galande, a resident of Wadgaon Sheri, mentioned, “Closing the Wadgaon Sheri junction has made it very tough for pedestrians to cross the highway safely from Wadgaon Sheri to the Novotel Lodge. With out correct crossings or alerts, we’re compelled to run by way of heavy site visitors, placing our lives in danger. The authorities ought to have deliberate higher and ensured pedestrian-friendly options earlier than implementing these modifications.”

Yasin Sayyad, a resident of Kharadi, mentioned, “The site visitors police have centered solely on autos and ignored pedestrians. Earlier, we may cross the highway at alerts, however now there is no such thing as a secure approach to cross. With out zebra crossings, it has develop into very harmful particularly for senior residents and kids at Viman Nagar and Shastri Nagar Chowk.”

Bapu Veer, a resident of Ramwadi, mentioned, “Neither the Pune site visitors division nor the Pune Municipal Company (PMC) consults residents earlier than making such drastic modifications. There is no such thing as a coordination between the authorities and the folks instantly affected—be it pedestrians, car house owners, or native residents. Whereas the removing of intersections could have improved car velocity, it has additionally considerably elevated the chance to pedestrians’ lives. It seems that the authorities have utterly uncared for security concerns.”

Whereas social activist Pramod Devkar from Ramwadi voiced considerations over the scenario, highlighting that the removing of intersections and alerts has created immense difficulties for pedestrians. He formally submitted a illustration to the Pune Metropolis Transport Division, urging the latter to rethink the choice and implement a extra inclusive resolution that prioritises pedestrian security.

Whereas Amol Zende, deputy commissioner of police (site visitors), mentioned, “We’ve carried out this plan on a short lived foundation. Now, we’ll add pedestrian crossings by inserting bollards and zebra crossings. At present, now we have made short-term highway crossings at some places. We’ll take all mandatory steps to enhance this site visitors plan and guarantee pedestrian security. Total, the velocity of site visitors has been elevated because of the new site visitors plan.”

Final yr within the month of July, the Pune site visitors police performed a survey and located 32 roads within the metropolis with the worst site visitors congestion. They gave a listing of those 32 congested roads to the PMC leading to discussions and a brand new site visitors administration plan that was launched on a trial foundation from September 21 final yr, focussing on Solapur Street and North Major Street.