PMC implements few pedestrian policy steps

Pune: Only a handful of the 26 recommendations specified in Pune Municipal Corporation's pedestrian

policy

to ensure safety can be seen fully executed on the footpaths across the city.

The policy, drawn up in 2016, has explained the design principles to be adhered to and essential features that must be provided for footpaths and

pedestrian

infrastructure.

However, much of it has remained on paper, pedestrians said. The many provisions mentioned in the policy have not been executed making it difficult for them to use pavements in a safe manner, they added.

Sanket Jagtap, a regular visitor to the city’s central market area, said most roads in the heart of the city were ideal examples of how and to what extent the recommendations of the pedestrian policy have been ignored.

The footpaths are not at all continuous with several breaks at every crossing. The width of pavement has not been maintained and in many stretches and the facility shrinks to such an extent that even two persons cannot walk side by side at a time, Jagtap said.

Lata Kaachi, who stays in Shukrawar Peth, said footpaths on Shivaji and Bajirao roads are in a pathetic condition. “These two roads probably have the highest footfall of walkers in the city. But the pavements are so bad that it is impossible to walk on them. In fact, pavements are missing in many stretches between Budhwar Chowk to Mandai. People have to walk on the road in the face of heavy traffic by putting their lives at risk. There are no dedicated markings for walkers,” she said.

According to Jay Shah, the authorities have commissioned dedicated walkways at some stretches on Bajirao Road but those have been occupied by hawkers. Similar walkways commissioned on Laxmi Road have gone missing, he said.

Sources in the administration said the existing footpaths on many roads have lot of breaks and were lacking in safety measures. Steps are underway to develop the pavements in a better way with focus on uniform width and height and with anti-skid tiles.


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