PMC’s widened footpath eating up road, causing traffic jams, say Navi Peth locals

Calling the development efforts waste of public funds, residents hit the street in protest, stop ongoing construction work

Residents of Anant Kanhere Path on Tuesday protested the footpath-widening task undertaken by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in the area. Calling it an unnecessary spending and pointing out how this has narrowed the stretch, the residents even stopped the ongoing construction work.

Locals complained that widening the pavement has only added to their woes. Widening the footpath has eaten up the road width, they alleged.

Locals have been facing incessant traffic snarls and pollution for more than a month, ever since the work began, they claimed. With no other option left, residents on Tuesday hit the road in protest. They even halted the work on a stretch near Patrakar Bhavan in Navi Peth.


They have also pointed out that there are several hospitals in the area, including Sahyadri Hospital and Bhide Hospital, and said ambulances would find it difficult to pass during traffic congestions.

Residents have demanded that the pavement be narrowed again to broaden the thoroughfare.

Kuldeep Talkallar, a resident of Kahere Path, who has opposed PMC’s move, said, “The work has not been done uniformly. The rumbles and speed-breakers have been badly done too, which lead to jerks while driving on the stretch.”

Another resident from the area, Shailesh Ladkat added, “The extended traffic jams due to the narrow roads are adding to the air and noise pollution. We have submitted a letter to PMC officials to fix the issue.”

A frequent commuter, Dilip Lokhande speaking about woes while driving, added, “As the road has narrowed down, I have to take a detour to reach my home in Navi Peth. The footpath work seems very unnecessary, especially at a time when the financial situation overall isn’t good. The civic body should refrain from wasting money on such efforts.”

The residents of Kanhere Path claim that before this stunt, they had several times complained and had been assured that corrections will be made but the ground reality for them has not changed, which prompted them to take matters in their hands.

A junior engineer from PMC and in-charge of the development site, Sunil Patil argued, “We have seen it in the past that no matter how wide the roads are, there’s always going to be traffic jams. The Pune-Mumbai expressway is the best example that even a broad highway couldn’t control the traffic. There’s more than one aspect involved that need attention.”

“We have to also consider the issues of pedestrians and their safety. The footpath is being widened for them. However, the issues pointed out by the residents will be looked into,” Patil added.