Experts claim pedestrian facilities not provided; civic body says citizens not using FOBs and subways
While Pimpri-Chinchwad is known for its wide roads and connectivity with national highways, the same six-lane roads are proving to be a menace to pedestrians. Citizens and road experts allege that pedestrian safety was neglected while developing the road network, especially along roads connecting Pune-Mumbai highway and Pune-Nashik highway.
Lack of proper pedestrian crossings near educational and commercial establishments in Pimpri, Chinchwad, Akurdi and Nigdi-Pradhikaran compromise safety of citizens, especially students. At the same time, the PCMC administration’s stand that citizens avoid use of foot overbridges (FOBs) and subways and illegally cross roads is also true.
Lack of planning while designing roads
Prashant Kakade, transport expert of Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) said that as per Indian Road Congress Guidelines for Pedestrian Facility (IRC 103-1988), the sidewalks should be provided on both sides of the road above the level of the carriageway separated by non-mountable kerbs.
Pedestrian guard-rails are an important design element to prevent indiscriminate crossing and spilling over of pedestrians onto the carriageway. Their judicious use can help ensure that pedestrians cross the streets at predetermined and safe locations.
“As the guard-rails would confine the movement of pedestrians to the footpath, it is obligatory that sufficient width of footpath be made available for pedestrians. Unfortunately, there is no such provision of pedestrian safety made in the twin township,” he said.
Provision of guard-rails alongside walks with suitable access at bus stops, railway stations and other areas of heavy pedestrian activity such as cinema houses and stadiums is recommended for guiding pedestrians safely in such areas.
Absence of zebra crossings, FoBs
In some internal roads, markings of zebra crossings have been washed away due to rain. At Nigdi, one of the busy junctions especially near the Shri Krishna Temple, the pedestrian risk is high. Vinayak Kulkarni, resident of Nigdi said, “The pedestrians are forced to cross the road at Nigdi because there is no provision of foot overbridge (FoB) or pedestrian crossing.”
PCMC engineering department spokesperson said it is true that there is no provision of FoB at Nigdi. Former local corporator Suman Pavale also demanded that the PCMC construct the FoB near Shri Krishna Temple.
High risk on highways
Facing a high risk, pedestrians cross the four-lane 61-metre wide Nigdi-Dapodi stretch on Mumbai-Pune highway that passes through several residential stretches like Nigdi, Chinchwad and Kasarwadi. Though vehicles here ply at speeds over 100 kmph pedestrians take a high risk ignoring foot overbridges and subways and illegally cross the highway.
Though extending the Pune-Mumbai highway that passes through the twin township had decreased the travel period of commuters, it created a menace for pedestrian.
In some places, PCMC installed fencing at highways so that the pedestrians will not use risky stretches for crossing in some locations but the solution hasn’t worked out.
PCMC executive engineer Shrikant Savane told dna, “PCMC made several facilities for pedestrians yet they are not using them. It is their mistake. They have a tendency to cross the road without using the existing facility available for pedestrians.”
The PCMC constructed three underground pedestrian subways near Big Bazaar at Chinchwad, Phugewadi octroi post and Mega Mart at Dapodi, four foot overbridges (FoB) at Vallabhnagar, Kharalwadi, Pimpri and Chinchwad. The corporation claims all these pedestrian facilities are built within 600 metre distances.
The same situation prevails at Pune-Nashik highway as pedestrians are found crossing the roads at their own risk.
PCMC plan for citizens
The PCMC plans to mark specific areas for pedestrians only and Rs75 lakh provision is expected to be set aside for the project in the civic budget.
As per the proposal, the PCMC proposes extra facilities for pedestrians at Nigdi-Akurdi bus stands, Bhosari-Nehrunagar bus stand, Sangvi, Pimple Nilakh, Pimple Gurav, Pimpri bus stand, Mhalsakant Chowk to Akurdi railway station, Chapekar Chowk at Chinchwadgaon and nearby roads.
On these identified locations, often traffic chaos is witnessed and pedestrians are seen taking in crossing the street.
The municipal corporation has selected consultants to prepare a detailed plan for non-motorised transport for pedestrians.
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