Pune: Activists blame PMC, PCMC for turning a blind eye to road accidents

He said prime roads in Pune — Fergusson Road, JM Road, Karve Road, Law college Road, Senapati Bapat Road, Nagar Road, Shankerseth Road and Satara Road — lack even the basic requirements for pedestrians like adequate size walkable footpaths and safe road crossings with pedestrian refuge. “Conditions for pedestrians have become precarious at several junctions, like Jedhe Chowk, Sancheti Chowk, Simla Office Chowk, Coep Chowk.” Inamdar further blamed encroachment on footpaths as another reason, forcing people to walk on roads, risking their life. “Lack of proper bus shelters and cluttering around bus stops adds to this lack of security,” he said.

Another activist Shridhar Chalkha said, “Drivers have become a menace for pedestrians by halting on zebra crossings, signal jumping, moving on wrong side of road, entering footpaths, rash driving, etc.” “Pedestrians are looked upon as hindrance to vehicle movement, leading to reduction in width of footpaths, cutting down signal time and removal of intermediate crossings,” added Inamdar. Inamdar also pointed out PMC’s failure in implementing the path-breaking Pedestrian Policy. “It looks like everyone is busy with Smart City related works and have no time for mundane matters like pedestrian safety… Only a pedestrian-friendly city can be a liveable Smart City,” it said.