PMC plans to build 200 foot over bridges

PUNE: There are over 20 foot over bridges (FOB) and underpasses for pedestrians in Pune. Not only are they rarely used, they are also in a filthy condition, showing the apathy of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Yet, the PMC Standing Committee has proposed construction of 200 FOTs with escalators and lifts. This was revealed last week in the Standing Committee budget presented by its Chairman Hemant Rasane. The idea of ‘investing’ in these infrastructure is to ‘generate revenue’, according to Rasane.  

The existing FOBs in Pune (see table) are not being used by people frequently, are dirty and are spots where incidents of eve teasing happen.

Ironically, the PMC has admitted that people avoid FOTs and subways due to security reasons and uncleanliness. Thus it is baffling why Rasane suggested it as a revenue generation source.

REVENUE GENERATION
Rasane said, “We have decided to identify spots and invite advertising companies to construct FOTs and sell advertisement rights to advertisers for ten years. Companies will take care of escalator’s or lift’s maintenance.” 

He added, “We have to think of the future. Now, escalators are used everywhere. Roads are wide and pedestrians cannot cross at-grade roads. So, we have proposed a plan of FOTs complete with escalators or lifts.”

At-grade roads or intersections are spots where a smaller road meets a busy road, usually a highway, and are at the same grade. This requires vehicles from one road to stop to allow vehicles on the other road to cross the junction.

WASTING TAXPAYERS’ MONEY
“Around the world, subways and FOBs are not successful experiments. Nowadays, most of the foreign countries are withdrawing this policy and emphasising on at-grade crossing at signalised junctions,” Prashant InamdarInamdar, Convener of Pedestrian First, said. 

“They consider that pedestrians have the first right on roads and vehicles are the last on the list.” 

He added, “Instead of using a lot of money on such facilities, the corporation should have increased the number of traffic wardens at junctions. The regular traffic rules, if followed, can ease the pedestrians’ problems effectively. FOB with lift is not a feasible option for pedestrians. The corporation is wasting taxpayers’ money on nonsense.”

AT-GRADE CROSSING CHEAPER
Inamdar explained that at at-grade crossings that have traffic signals, FOBs or subways are not needed as vehicles have to compulsorily stop at the junction as per the signal cycle. These vehicle halts can be judiciously used for safe pedestrian crossing by providing well designed zebra crossings with midway pedestrian refuges, pedestrian signals and sufficient time phase in the signal cycle for crossing the road. 

This option is much cheaper and an effective solution useful for all as compared to the costly grade separated crossings which are not widely used.

TOTAL SUBWAYS AND FOB IN THE CITY
- Existing subways: Zilla Parishad, Pune Station, Modern High School, Alandi Road, Nagar Road (Ramwadi Chowk), Nagar Road (Viman Nagar Chowk), Nagar Road (Chandan Nagar), Dahanukar Society, Swargate, Pushpa Mangal Karyalaya (Bibvewadi).
- Foot over bridges (FoB): SNDT, Sarasbaug, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Vishrantwadi,  Laxminagar theatre (Sai Baba Mandir), Cummins company (Mrutyunjay Mandir), Karve statue, Dahanukar Society, Paud Road (Kinara Hotel).