Pune News : CREDAI – Pune Metro, SPTM launch pedestrian safety campaign
The CREDAI-Pune Metro and Save Pune Traffic Movement (SPTM) have launched a pedestrian safety campaign – “Paul Pudhe – Hat Samor” to create awareness about pedestrian safety.
The initiative was launched on Monday, February 20 by Pune Municipal Corporation Additional Commissioner Vikas Dhakane, in presence of CREDAI-Pune Metro Vice President Ranjit Naiknavare, CREDAI-Pune Metro Managing Committee member Sanjay Deshpande, Director General Dr DK Abhyankar, General Manager Urmila Jhulka, SPTM Director Harshad Abhyankar and CREDAI-Pune Metro Labour Welfare Officer Sameer Parkhi.
As a part of the campaign, the dignitaries launched a Mascot – Zebi – the Zebra – who will create awareness about pedestrian safety at different places in the city. A special video has also been made to create awareness about pedestrian safety.
The Road Safety Patrol of Pune Traffic Police has also assured their support to the campaign and they will show the specially-created video to students, teachers and parents, in all the schools.
Addressing the launch event, Dhakane said, “There are a lot of issues like potholes, road conditions. Likewise, the population and number of vehicles have also increased, which has compounded the problem. To solve these issues, cooperation of all elements of society is essential. We will implement a planned program in the next one year, which focuses on pedestrian safety.”
“The Pune Municipal Corporation along with the traffic police has identified 45 black spots, which are prone to traffic congestion. We are planning different ways on how to reduce the traffic congestion. Also, the Pune Municipal Corporation intends to refurbish 15 existing roads in the city,” Dhakane said.
Harshad Abhyankar said that as per the data provided by Pune Traffic Police, there has been a 67 percent rise in pedestrian deaths now as compared to 2019.
“Pedestrian mishaps are one third of the total road accidents that take place. Hence, the campaign has been launched, where all the necessary stake-holders are coming together. Under this, the video will be shown to the masses and the Mascot will also create necessary awareness,” he said.
Ranjit Naiknavare said, “Pedestrian safety has become an important issue as the ongoing Metro work has led to an increase in traffic, which has made motorists impatient. We assure all our support to the campaign.”
