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Journalism of Courage
In focus
Ever since Fatimanagar T-junction was closed nearly a year ago, pedestrians have been forced to dash across high-speed traffic without a safe crossing, while PMPML buses and even ambulances are forced to take long detours. On Monday evening, residents from various societies in Fatimanagar came together to set up a human chain to escort hapless pedestrians attempting to cross the busy intersection along the Pune-Solapur highway. However they were not able to as senior police officers intervened, anticipating an obstruction to traffic.
“Our aim was to show solidarity with citizens, with volunteers wearing helmets and a human chain set up across the road to help people cross safely. This was to symbolise the safe infrastructure that the city should provide to pedestrians — but has failed to,” Harshad Abhyankar, director, Save Pune Traffic Movement told The Indian Express.
Asha Shinde, 83, a resident of Himalaya House at Fatimanagar, who is actively associated with citizens’ groups and is also a member of the Pune Pravasi Manch, said that time and again they had written to various authorities and even met Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, but to no avail.
According to Nergish Kartrak, 77, a former teacher at Dastur High School, the decision of the Pune traffic department has put pedestrians at grave risk. Residents also expressed their frustration and said they were facing several problems ever since access to the Solapur highway from Fatimanagar was closed.
The new arrangements had been implemented to reduce traffic congestion on Pune-Solapur Road and regulations had been introduced accordingly in Fatimangar area. At present, vehicles heading towards Hadapsar via Shivarkar road have to take a U-turn at Bhairobanala junction and then continue on Solapur road.
As per the plan, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and cars from Swargate heading to Shivarkar Road must pass through Fatimanagar junction and take a U-turn just before Avenue Mall.
To ease traffic congestion, the Fatimanagar junction was also made signal-free. The aim was to streamline traffic, but the move has drawn flak from residents of the area, as it creates a lot of inconvenience and safety risks for pedestrians — especially senior citizens, women and students.
“There was a duration of 30 seconds set for the pedestrian crossing. However by closing the access to Solapur highway , you have crippled us,” stated a recent letter sent by Fatimanagar Welfare Association to Murlidhar Mohol.
Patty Ferrao, 59, who is president, Fatimanagar Welfare Association which includes residents of several cooperative housing societies in the area, lamented most of their members who are senior citizens find it near impossible to cross the road.
Nazir Khan, another long-time resident of the locality added that school children are also forced to cross this road in a risky manner, because a facility that was available to pedestrians has now been taken away to facilitate traffic.
Residents said their demand was non-negotiable. “We have urgently demanded the reopening of Fatimanagar T-junction, paint zebra crossings, and switch on the traffic signals,” Abhyankar, who supports the movement, said.
They have also said it was not acceptable to simply turn on the signal without reopening the junction, replace the cement barrier with bollards or build pedestrian subways or foot over-bridges, which are unsafe and not easily accessible for senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities.
Satyajit Atmane, Senior Police Inspector, Wanowrie Police Station and Dilip Phulpagare, Senior Police Inspector (Traffic) Wanowrie Police Station met residents and assured to look into the matter. A meeting will be held with Himmat Jadhav, DCP Traffic on Tuesday morning over the issue.
When contacted, Jadhav said that a thorough analysis was undertaken before implementing the decision. “However we will meet the residents and hear their grievances,” he assured.
