2 days Ago
Pune: Motorists might be happy zooming past the signal-free crossings of Nagar Road, but pedestrians are complaining about long wait to cross the junctions through the speeding vehicles. The traffic department has made several crossings along the highway, connecting Pune and Ahilyanagar, signal-free to ensure smooth movement of vehicles. However, this has left residents of neighbourhoods, such as Kalyaninagar, Vimannagar, Kharadi, and Chandannagar, a worried lot as they struggle to cross the road.
Over the past week, resident representatives from these areas met the traffic department, raising concerns over difficulties in crossing roads. The residents said they were compelled to walk more than a kilometre to reach the main junction, access the zebra crossing and cross the road. Speeding vehicles make the task all the more difficult.
Kalyaninagar resident Sahid Nathani said: "We have already lost an elderly woman, who was knocked down by a speeding truck at Shastrinagar Chowk. There are several issues pedestrians are facing. But the biggest threat is the vehicles that speed through the signal-free intersections on Nagar Road and do not even slow down at Zebra crossings.
" Two weeks ago, the intersections between Yerawada and Kharadi Old Octroi post on Nagar Road were made signal-free for faster movement of vehicles at crossings. Deputy commissioner of pune (Traffic) Amol Zende said his department, in coordination with Pune Municipal Corporations, has planned to make the highway safe for pedestrians with measures such as rumbler strips and Zebra crossings. "At all major junctions, the vehicles are are made to stop for 20-30 seconds so that pedestrians can cross the road.
We are open to suggestions from residents on further improvements." Kharadi resident Vishal Nair said, "Pedestrians' safety has been neglected. The road to Kalyaninagar from Shastrinagar Chowk has been closed, leading to a U-turn in front of Aga Khan Palace.
Pedestrians have no space to cross Shastrinagar Chowk. And this is the situation everywhere. Zebra crossing stripes have been removed.
The traffic department has made the intersections signal-free but not implemented speed control measures for vehicles." A resident of Ramwadi, Uddhav Galande, said, "With the traffic police making Nagar Road signal-free, the traffic congestion has been resolved. But pedestrians, particularly senior citizens, have to cross the road with great caution.
There is a school and a hospital in Ramwadi. The traffic police need to ensure zebra crossings and pedestrian signals are in place." Stay updated with the latest city news , Air Quality Index (AQI), and weather updates for major cities like Delhi , Mumbai , Noida , and Bangalore on Times of India .
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