Pedestrians at crossroads

After receiving poor response to its foot overbridge project in Pune station area,the civic administration had constructed pedestrian subways at J M Road and Mehendale Garage areas. And now,grappling with opposition from corporators for proposing subways under JNNRUM in other areas,the administration is planning to build foot overbridges instead of subways there.

“It’s tough for the pedestrians to cross the roads widened under the JNNURM scheme. Therefore,the civic body decided to build subways on these routes. But there are multiple obstacles on it,” said Vinay Deshpande,in-charge of development work under JNNURM.

He said the experts had opined that the select places where subways were proposed are not suitable for work owing to lack of sufficient area and also possible disturbance to utility lines in the area.”Subway work may cause heavy damage to water pipelines,drainages,electricity canles and telephone lines,” Deshpande said.

Since the foot overbridges are also not much used by pedestrians,he said the administration has now proposed for lifts on the bridges planned instead of subways.

The proposal for foot overbridges at Anandnagar on Sinhagad Road,Vishrantwadi,Paud Road and Karve road is facing opposition from local corporators. “The PMC’s plan to construct overbridges with lifts is not likely to succeed as it’s difficult to maintain lifts and ensure continuous power supply. It will be a waste of civic money,” said Deputy Mayor Prasanna Jagtap.