Pune: Safety Concerns Rise As CCTV Cable Work Endangers Pedestrians Near Bhairoba Nala–Ramtekdi Petrol Pump
Pune: Safety Concerns Rise As CCTV Cable Work Endangers Pedestrians Near Bhairoba Nala–Ramtekdi Petrol Pump
Pune, December 12, 2025: Ongoing Smart City CCTV cable-laying work from Bhairoba Nala to Ramtekdi Petrol Pump has raised serious safety concerns among residents, who allege that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and contractors are risking public safety in the name of development.
The Pune–Solapur road is a highly busy stretch, witnessing thousands of vehicles daily. Several Marathi and English-medium schools are located in the Bhairoba Nala and Fatimanagar areas. Students from Ramtekdi, Ramnagar, Laxminagar, Vaidhuwadi, Khujre Vasti, and Mahatma Phule Vasti commute through this route on foot or by vehicle.
However, due to excavation work being carried out directly on the footpath, students and parents are being forced to walk on the main road, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
A large number of domestic workers also use this road while travelling toward Fatimanagar. With the footpath blocked due to digging, these women are compelled to walk along the edge of the speeding traffic, further heightening the danger.
Meanwhile, the contractor has claimed, “All safety measures have been implemented, and two workers patrol the stretch on motorcycles.”
But ground reality contradicts this assertion—there are no proper barricades, no warning boards, no lighting, and no security personnel at the excavation site.
Resident’s Concern
“On one hand, ‘Smart City’ work is going on, but on the other, the safety of citizens is completely neglected. PMC officials and contractors are creating a serious threat to the lives of people during development work.”
— Santosh Supekar, Local Resident
Citizen Activist Speaks
“Risking public safety for Smart City work is unacceptable. Digging on the footpath without warnings and the rising accident threats show grave negligence. PMC must immediately implement safety measures, or we will file an official complaint.”
— Deepak Shinde, President, Mahiti Adhikar Janajagruti Manch
