Pedestrian deaths spike in Pune, 60 casualties in 7 months this year

PUNE: From lack of footpaths to improper road infrastructure to road rule violations, there have been reasons aplenty for pedestrian fatalities in the city showing a marked rise over the years.
The city police registered 34 pedestrian deaths in 2020 but this number jumped to 84 the next year. In the first seven months of this year, the tally already stands at 60.
Police claim they have been repeatedly requesting the civic administration to improve facilities for pedestrians, such as installing pedestrian signal crossings and better pavements.
Inadequate facilities for walkers, smaller roads and vehicles 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, Katraj, Hadapsar, Kothrud and Baner.
"The PMC and Smart City project has made some roads citizen- and pedestrian-friendly through the paving of proper footpaths and other facilities, but these infrastructural developments are limited to a few pockets of the city. Most areas go neglected. The PMC has a pedestrian policy, but they conveniently ignore it," said Prashant Inamdar, president of social group Pedestrian First.
Civic activists pointed out that zebra crossings are missing at many junctions as are foot overbridges, which allow people to cross roads safely.
Commenting on the issue, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Rahul Shrirame told TOI, "We have requested the PMC many times to enhance the number of pedestrian crossing signals on city roads, particularly at major junctions such as Swargate, Katraj, Kharadi, Alka Talkies, Shimla Office chowk and more. We have also requested that zebra crossings be re-painted at many junctions."
Shrirame said, "There were fewer accidents in 2020 due to the lockdown and fewer vehicles on the roads. Now, however, vehicle-users are back to driving recklessly. They break signals and change lanes with impudence. Pedestrians often bear the brunt of this behaviour."
He added, "There have even been some incidents of car drivers jumping the signal and knocking down children begging for alms."
Another traffic police officer said, "Often, pedestrians are also to blame. Many of them are busy on their cell phones while crossing roads or junctions, neglecting their own safety."