Pune: A major route in Viman Nagar connecting the city to several key areas has become a hotspot for accidents due to poor road design and incomplete infrastructure changes , citizens and representatives of the Association of Nagar Road Citizens Forum told TOI on Monday. The route connects to areas like Shikrapur, Ranjangaon, Shirur, Supa, Kedgaon, and Ahmednagar, Association convenor Qaneez Sukhrani said, "The 2km stretch from Ramwadi to Aaple Ghar (the last BRTS bus shelter on Nagar Road) has become a highly accident-prone area for several reasons. Firstly, remnants of the railings still exist in this section, even though about 4km of them were removed in Dec 2023, following a report on the same by the Gokhale Institute of Politics And Economics (GIPE).
" Another local resident, choosing anonymity, informed, "Nearly five accidents, including one four days ago, have occurred here in the last one-and-a-half months." Admitting to the issue, police inspector (traffic) Arvind Gokule told TOI, "After the removal of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system here, the road width expanded to over 65 feet. However, just as the mall intersection ends, the BRTS lane suddenly reappears, drastically reducing the road width.
This abrupt change has led to numerous accidents, with vehicles unexpectedly encountering the narrowed road and climbing over the BRTS railing. We have written to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to dismantle the remaining BRTS structure." Sukhrani added, "Further, this corridor also lacks a central median to separate opposing traffic flows.
There are numerous blind spots along the route, and the existing railings are not adequately illuminated by streetlights. While this poses a risk to all motorists, it's particularly dangerous for those unfamiliar with the area, who might mistake it for a clear road and inadvertently drive onto the remaining railings, especially when in a hurry. Driving at night is especially harrowing, as you never know what might suddenly appear in your path.
" A senior PMC official from the road department, however, refuted, "The earlier BRTS portion was removed after a detailed study was done by GIPE. However, no final decision has been taken yet to dismantle the remaining portion. A final decision will be taken only after detailed deliberations.
Till such a decision is taken, that portion will not be disturbed.".
