When even a stroll becomes too risky: Complaints over Pune’s shoddy footpaths mount as authorities caught napping

*At Kothrud, shoddy repair work is evident as missing tiles have been haphazardly covered by debris instead of being properly replaced.

*Footpaths in Baner and Aundh may appear well-constructed, but upon closer inspection, it is evident that the paver blocks are deteriorating in many places, posing severe risks to pedestrians, especially the elderly and visually impaired.

These are just some of the areas plagued by damaged and unsafe footpaths in Pune. Broken, cracked, and missing tiles on several footpaths in the city cause each of the 15 ward offices to receive up to seven complaints daily for repair work.

Missing pavement blocks on footpath in Kothrud. Express photo by Shubham Tigga

Vinit Singh, a psychology student at Fergusson College, who recently shifted to Pune, said that his impression of Pune’s roads and walkways is in sheer contrast to what he had imagined. “I like to walk and the damaged footpaths are not just at Ghole Road but one finds these gaps almost everywhere. At Deccan, too, the loose tiles are a cause of concern and one has to look down while walking to avoid tripping,” he said.

Vinit’s friend Shikhar said that as responsible citizens, they want to lodge such basic complaints but do not know whom to approach. “Auto-rickshaws parked in the area have caused damage to the tiles along the edges, and the rain has worsened the situation,” he said while flagging concern over damage to public property.

Dr Aditya Kelkar, director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology, likes a brisk walk to his hospital at Ghole Road but is scared to do so. “It is a risk to walk on these uneven footpaths, and despite the short distance from home, I have no option but to drive,” he said.

Arvind Musale, a retired bank employee residing in Baner, feels faulty footpaths have started to affect more areas. “In areas of the city where the footpaths have been neglected forever, people hardly expect their condition to get better. But in Aundh and Baner, where footpaths have been fairly good in the past, their deteriorating condition symbolises our crumbling civic infrastructure of Pune. This poses a significant risk during monsoon season, especially for senior citizens like me,” said Musale.

Damaged and missing paver blocks on the footpaths on Mahadji Shinde Road in Aundh. (Express Photo by Sushant Kulkarni)

According to pedestrians, the repair of damaged footpaths has simply not been happening. “Many patches of footpaths are still good for cycling. However, the damaged and dislodged paver blocks have not been replaced over the past few months. There are many places on the footpaths from where entry points to construction sites have been created. At these spots, paver blocks have been brazenly removed by construction companies,” said a resident of Aundh.

Digging up for development work, encroachment by vendors

Civic activist Qaneez Sukhrani noted that footpaths are blocked in some areas due to unplanned digging for private or public civil work. “These are never covered and restored to their original status. Maha Metro has taken portions of the footpath length to construct the exit/entry staircase at several locations,” she said.

“The dug-up ones are never levelled. In some places, there are poorly constructed or broken footpaths. At a majority of locations, they are encroached upon by vendors, hawkers, food stalls, beggars and homeless squatters,” she said.

Excess debris, pipes, hanging overhead cables, discom fuse boxes and junction boxes, protruding chamber and manhole covers, smart city digital information poles and benches are other obstructions, according to her.

Sukhrani filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2023 alleging inaction by the authorities in enforcing pedestrians’ rights and implementing Indian Road Congress guidelines regarding footpaths.

What do officials say?

When contacted, Ravi Khandare, ward officer of Gholeroad, said now the issues regarding the damage of tiles in footpaths come under the jurisdiction of the Road Department and the ward office is not responsible.

Footpath at Ghole road near Mayor’s bungalow on Monday. (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre)

Officials at the ward offices at Wanowrie and Kondhwa admit that close to eight to ten complaints are received daily. “We try our best to carry out the repair work. However, there are small vendors who occupy some of the pavement space and fix a pole near the footpath railing to hang their stuff,” an official from the Aundh ward office said.

The official said they undertake repairs when routine checks reveal issues with paver blocks or if they receive complaints from citizens or local groups. “At present, incessant rain and ongoing infrastructure work are posing a big challenge in the repairs,” the official said.

Coming up: Concluding part in which Pune Municipal Corporation says repair work begins on war footing.