Two-Wheelers Flood Pune’s Footpaths; Residents Demand Action against Encroachment
Two-Wheelers Flood Pune’s Footpaths; Residents Demand Action against Encroachment
Footpath congestion in Pune poses safety risks for pedestrians, with residents calling for stricter enforcement and improved infrastructure.
Pune’s footpaths are overwhelmed by encroachments and parked two-wheelers, creating challenges for pedestrians and adding to traffic congestion. The city’s limited parking spaces have pushed vehicles onto footpaths and roadsides, making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate safely and causing bottlenecks.
The Pune Police and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have set penalties for footpath encroachment: ₹1,000 for two-wheelers and ₹2,000 for four-wheelers parked on sidewalks. Additionally, the PMC is working on a project to redesign 27 kilometers of streets, aiming to create safer infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and the differently-abled. However, local residents argue that fines alone are insufficient, demanding consistent action against violators.
According to the NGO Save Pune Traffic Movement, PMC and traffic police need to prioritize pedestrian safety by developing stricter footpath plans.
Local police officials reported issuing around 50-60 fines daily to vehicles parked or moving on footpaths. While fines and towing are enforced, the rapidly growing number of vehicles, combined with inadequate parking infrastructure, continues to force vehicles onto sidewalks and roads.
Residents in areas like Viman Nagar, where broken footpaths pose additional hazards, report frequent encounters with violators, underscoring the need for ongoing enforcement and awareness.
To make Pune’s streets safer and more walkable, citizens are calling for improved urban planning, stricter penalties and a renewed focus on pedestrian-friendly spaces.
