Pune: The BRTS corridor along Ahmednagar road is increasingly becoming prone to accidents with motorcyclists and four-wheelers drivers blatantly violating traffic rules by speeding into the lanes meant for buses.
Commuters on the Yerwada-Vimannagar stretch have raised their concerns with the local representatives several times, but there has not been any change on the ground. On December 8, a 38-year-old motorcyclist, who had entered the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor at Ramwadi along the Pune-Ahmednagar Road, died on the spot after colliding with a PMPML bus.
Seema Raut, a Vimannagar resident, said the spot near the Phoenix mall junction has become so dangerous that she tries to avoid the stretch and look for another route.
"While going from Vimannagar towards the main Nagar Road highway, I have to cross the Phoenix mall junction. But blatant violation of the traffic rules by the two-wheeler riders on the BRTS route makes it difficult for us to cross the road. All of a sudden you can see vehicles speeding through the bus lanes. Surprisingly, there is hardly any action against these errant riders," she said.
Vikas Kumar, who lives in Shastrinagar, said, "The junction in our area is the most dangerous one as cars and bikes enter the route in full speed, without caring for their lives and others'. I have seen a young biker ramming a bus on the BRTS corridor after it had stopped suddenly."
He added, "It's scary that drivers and bikers, in a rush to reach workplace or home, do not care about safety. They feel that taking the BRTS route will reduce the travel time. But it is a dangerous trend."
Roshni Bhatia, a member of the ladies citizens' group in Vimannagar, said the issue has been raised with the local corporators several times, but in vain.
She said, "During the monthly meetings with the corporator and ward officers, we have been taking up the issue. We want the authorities to slap heavy penalty on the traffic rule violators. We were told that the issue would be forwarded to the traffic department and PMPML. We do not know what happened after that. All that we can say is the situation continues."
Local corporator Yogesh Mulik admitted that it was a serious concern. "We have raised the issue with authorities concerned and there should be appropriate action against the offenders. We shall follow up on the issue with the authorities and see what measures and action they take."
A Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) official said, "We have wardens at all the BRTS routes and they are regularly on duty. One has to check as to how, even in their presence, the vehicles are entering the BRTS lane. PMPML is aware of the issue and will ensure a permanent solution with help from the traffic police."
