Pune News : Pedestrians Struggle with Absence & Poor State of Integrated Footpaths in Bavdhan
Bavdhan residents are facing distressing situations as integrated footpaths are either absent or in a dilapidated state in various spots, including Shindenagar and NDA Pashan Road. The lack of safe pedestrian pathways has become a major concern for the community, putting them at risk while walking on the roads.
Nilesh Gosavi, a resident of Bavdhan, expressed his concerns, stating that several spots in Shindenagar lack footpaths, leading to difficulties in pedestrian movement. The absence of footpaths forces pedestrians to walk on the road, increasing the risk of accidents due to speeding vehicles.
Rajan Anthony, another resident of Shindenagar, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that in many places, footpaths are either broken or entirely missing, leaving pedestrians with limited options for safe movement. The situation particularly affects senior citizens, who face difficulties while walking and fear unfortunate incidents due to vehicles.
Major General Promod Govila (Retd), also a resident of Shindenagar, shared his experience, stating that the existing footpaths remain in a dilapidated state, with issues like water accumulation and encroachments by hawkers. As a senior citizen, he faces this nuisance on a daily basis.
Ramchandra Khaladkar, residing in Bavdhan for three decades, pointed out that the footpaths in various spots are either absent or in poor condition due to water accumulation, mud, and other factors. Senior citizens like him feel scared to walk under such conditions, and despite raising the issue, no significant action has been taken by the authorities.
C S Krishnan, a member of Bavdhan Citizens Forum, highlighted the inconvenience faced by senior citizens who are forced to walk along the road divider or on the side of the road due to the poor footpath conditions. The existing footpaths are often filled with mud, making them slippery and unsafe. Despite continuous follow-ups with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), no significant action has been taken to address the problem.
Shailesh Wagholikar, Deputy Engineer of PMC Road Department in Bavdhan Area, mentioned that some spots in Shindenagar and other areas might not be geographically wide enough to accommodate footpaths. He added that PMC is actively working to clean the existing footpaths.
The plight of pedestrians in Bavdhan highlights the urgent need for proper and well-maintained footpaths to ensure the safety and convenience of the residents. Authorities must take swift action to address the absence and poor state of footpaths to create a safer environment for pedestrians in the area.
