Pune: 74 pedestrians died on road till November-end, over twice from 2020

PUNE: Statistics released by police revealed that the number of pedestrians killed in road accidents across the city between January and November this year was more than double the instances of such casualties during the entire 2020.

Road accidents have claimed the lives of 74 pedestrians so far this year. The number was 34 in 2020. Inadequate facilities for the pedestrians, smaller roads and driving at high speed are some of the most common causes behind the accidents, reported more in areas such as Deccan Gymkhana and Shivajinagar, besides Warje, Kothrud and Baner.
“The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Smart City Project have made some roads pedestrian-friendly. But these initiatives are limited to some pockets,” said Prashant Inamdar, president of Pedestrian First.
Activist Vivek Velankar said, “The civic authorities have misplaced their priorities while developing the infrastructure, such as zebra crossings, foot-over bridges and footpaths, revolving around pedestrians. Proper channelisation of vehicles and pedestrians is a must.”
Sandeep Gaikwad, a senior programme associate with NGO Parisar, said, “Nearly all the government policy for roads is for motorized vehicles.”
Pune DCP (traffic) Rahul Shrirame said, “We have urged the PMC to enhance the number of pedestrian crossing signals on the city roads, particularly at the major crossings such as Swargate, Katraj, Kharadi, Alka Talkies and Shivajinagar. We have also urged the civic body to properly paint the zebra crossings. On our front, we are taking stern action against the motorists involved in rash and negligent driving.”
(With inputs from Shiladitya Pandit)