Poll code, series of transfers ground campaign to make roads safer in Pune

PUNE: Two elections and transfers of the municipal commissioner, the head of the Pune traffic police and the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) have affected the Pune Road Safety Campaign launched by former mayor Mukta Tilak last February.
“The progress of the campaign has been slow. Two elections and the model code of conduct were in place for several months in 2019. There has been a change in leadership and transfers of government officers. The mayor changed, the deputy commissioner of police for traffic was transferred, followed by transfers of the PMPML chairperson and managing director, the municipal commissioner and head of PMC’s road department,” Harshad Abhyankar, director of Save Pune Traffic Movement, said.

A review meeting was chaired by Tilak last May.
“She proposed that the next meeting be held after the road safety committee was formed. We picked up a few initiatives and started work. One was establishing mid-block crossing prototype at one road in association with Parisar, an NGO. The next was training for PMPML drivers to ensure that they halt at the stop lines at traffic signals. They needed material, including a laptop, which was approved by former PMPML CMD Nayana Gunde, but the actual purchase is yet to be made,” he said.
Abhyankar said they are working on pedestrian signals and have discussed the needful with the PMC electrical department.
“However, no funds have been allocated in the draft budget. We have met the head of the department and he keen on getting it done. The enforcement of a helmet is a priority. We have met the police commissioner about a month and a half ago,” he added.
Mayor Murlidhar Mohol said he has already been apprised of the campaign and will initiate the work soon. “I have got all the information about the Pune Road Safety Campaign. We will meet the municipal commissioner, officials and NGOs soon,” he added.
According to Parisar’s programme director Ranjit Gadgil, the campaign has failed to pick up pace.
“We are working on mid-block crossings and the tender has been allotted. We will be working with the contractor on developing the crossing on one road, first. We will also evaluate whether it has helped make crossing the road safer. However, the head of the road department has changed and we will have to apprise the new person of what needs to be done. The campaign must pick up pace,” he said.
Samaiirah from Safe Road Foundation added that the committee must be formed.
“We are going to propose shortlisting an area where road safety measures will be implemented. A similar plan can then be replicated in other areas of the city. We will meet the authorities next week,” she added.