Traffic Chaos in Pune Due to Sadhu Vaswani Bridge Demolition: Public Forum Demands Immediate Review
Traffic Chaos in Pune Due to Sadhu Vaswani Bridge Demolition: Public Forum Demands Immediate Review
Pune, July 21, 2024 — The demolition of the Sadhu Vaswani Bridge has led to significant traffic disruptions in Pune, with Traffic Police diverting the flow to Mangaldas Road. This diversion has resulted in severe congestion, particularly on a 300-meter stretch before the Wadia College corner, causing two-wheelers to mount and ride on the footpath.
Recent video footage and photographs reveal the deteriorated condition of the footpath, with tiles dislodged and multiple holes visible. College students can be seen risking their lives as they navigate the footpath amidst two-wheelers.
The redirection of traffic has been criticized for its lack of thoughtful planning. The initial two-way traffic flow on Mangaldas Road should have been maintained to prevent the current chaos. Instead, the new route has caused nothing but inconvenience to the public.
#PUNE | Traffic chaos in Pune due to Sadhu Vaswani Bridge demolition! 🚧 Public Forum demands an urgent review of the diversion to Mangaldas Road. Pedestrians & students at risk as two-wheelers take over the footpaths. Watch the video to see the real impact! #PuneTraffic… pic.twitter.com/wQun2t2Ptw
— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) July 21, 2024
Key Issues Highlighted
- Pedestrian Safety: The damaged footpath and the presence of two-wheelers endanger pedestrians. The question of pedestrian rights remains unaddressed.
- Traffic Mismanagement: At the end of Mangaldas Road, a supposed right turn block is ignored, leading to hazardous conditions as vehicles come from the opposite direction.
- Forced U-Turns: Traffic turning left at Mangaldas Road includes those who would have turned right, now forced to take a U-turn at Mangaldas Police Chowky.
- Underutilized Road Space: One side of Mangaldas Road remains unused, exacerbating traffic issues.
- Lack of Wardens: Traffic wardens are notably absent from critical points, failing to manage and ease the traffic flow.
Call to Action
The public has been coping with the construction delays and disruptions for years. It is imperative for the Traffic Police and PMC to collaborate on a more efficient traffic management plan to minimize public inconvenience and prevent further trauma.
Immediate Recommendations:
- Review Traffic Flow: Restore the previous two-way traffic flow on Mangaldas Road.
- Deploy Wardens: Ensure the presence of wardens at strategic points to manage traffic and prevent footpath misuse.
- Install Bollards: Place bollards on footpaths to prevent two-wheelers from encroaching on pedestrian space.
- Regular Inspections: Senior officers should conduct frequent rounds to ensure enforcement and address any issues promptly.
Public Demand:
The Association of Nagar Road Citizens Forum, led by Convenor Qaneez Sukhrani, demands an urgent review of the current traffic diversion. The forum has highlighted the dangers and inconveniences faced by the public, urging immediate action to prevent any fatal incidents. For more details, refer to PMC’s Pedestrian Police Guideline 2016 and PIL no. 141 of 2023 on Pedestrian Rights. The public cannot be left to bear the brunt of poor traffic management indefinitely. The authorities must act now to alleviate the situation.
