Lack of pedestrian crossings in Khadki causing mishaps

The complete absence of pedestrian crossings on the road between Khadki railway station and Jaihind Talkies at Khadki has turned the area into a dangerous accident spot, according to residents of the area.

The Khadki police station police inspector, Vilas Gavali, told DNA on Tuesday that there were at least four accidents involving pedestrians every month. “Last week alone, we saw two accidents taking place,’’ Gavali said.

As the picture accompanying this report will indicate, pedestrians are at the complete mercy of automobiles on this stretch of the road. When contacted, chief executive officer (CEO) Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB), SVR Chandrashekar, said the KCB had never discussed the matter of constructing a pedestrian crossing or installing traffic signals at the spot.

R Malarimani (52), a Khadki resident, told DNA, “I wait for my company bus at this spot every morning and am witness to the trauma faced by pedestrians trying to cross the road. There is no pedestrian crossing and no traffic signal at the spot and I have been witness to several pedestrians being knocked down by speeding two-wheelers.’’

Another Khadki resident, Sandesh Pawar (25), a student, said, “I live on this road and it is impossible to cross the road. As it is the old Mumbai-Pune highway, the vehicles travel at high speed and there are no street lights. I come on my motorcycle to drop and pick my parents from the station.’’

KCB vice-president Manish Anand said, “We have proposed a foot overbridge (FOB) at the spot to the KCB four months ago and are still awaiting approval.’’
KCB CEO Chandrashekar said the proposal for the FOB has been sent to the railways, as part of the bridge would come up on railway land. “If the railways approves the plan, we will proceed with future planning,’’ Chandrasekhar said.