Without signages,pedestrian crossings cause accidents

On Sunday at 1 am at the elevated pedestrian crossing in front of Abhinav College,two bikes – one of them taking a U turn and other going towards Pashan – collided with each other,seriously injuring three persons. One of them sustained severe internal head injuries. “I could not see the bump and my bike suddenly jumped after which I lost control. There are no sign boards or white straps on them,” said one of the injured. Amar Gore,a resident of a building near the pedestrian crossing,who took seriously injured techie Vikram Joshi to the hospital,said,“This is the fourth time in the last three months.”

Chaturshrungi police station data on accidents at these bumpers reveal that there have been three to four minor accidents and at least one major accident at each of them in the last three months. Inspector Bhimrao Tele with the police station said,“Riders always tend to speed up on a smooth road with less traffic. With no marking on the bumpers,there are times when bikers or car drivers lose control.”

“As per IRC rule,the PMC has to take a nod from us and put up signboard and coloured straps on it,” deputy commissioner of police (Traffic) Manoj Patil said. An official at the administration and planning section of the traffic police said no permission was given for these bumpers.”

PMC officials said the crossings were constructed after citizens’ demand. Shrinivas Bonala,additional city engineer,said,“If you treat them as speed breakers then the nod is needed. But they are elevated crossings for elderly people and are found world over.”