Experts call for safeguards

Pune: Two accidents on consecutive days on Baner Road have brought the spotlight back on the inadequate traffic safeguards on the busy stretch.
Those working for improving the infrastructure on the road say lack of initiative from the Pune Municipal Corporation in improving the road’s driving conditions are allowing risks to remain. While local residents and traffic experts have been trying to improve the driveability on Baner Road by mobilizing citizens through awareness drives and pledge campaigns, there is hardly any visible improvement in the situation on the ground.
Deepshikha Dwivedi, a resident, said, “It is shocking how much drivers speed, as if playing a video game. I wonder if life is so cheap. There should be strict fines for those speeding within city limits.”
Others said the height of dividers must be raised.
Speeding and the volume of vehicles on the road are both problems here, admitted Ashok Morale, deputy commissioner of police (traffic). He added that police will work on checking speeding on Baner Road.
Rajendra Raut, head of the roads department in the PMC, said, “Safety audit of Pune’s roads is ongoing, and we will undertake any road work only after the final report.”