Rule changes ease traffic but put pedestrians at risk

As per new plan, designated pedestrian lanes at major crossings have been removed, and no provisions have been made to regulate vehicle speed after removal of traffic signals

- Siddharth Gadkari

PUNE: Last week, the Pune traffic police implemented a new traffic plan on Ahmednagar (Nagar) Road between Yerawada Chowk and the Old Octroi Post (Juna Jakat Naka) at Kharadi wherein intersections at Shastri Nagar, Wadgaon Sheri Chowk, Viman Nagar Chowk, Hadapsar-Kharadi Bypass Chowk, and Dargah Chowk were closed and U-turns were set up 100 metres away from each chowk to manage the traffic flow.

While the changes have resulted in smoother traffic flow on Nagar Road, the same has come at the cost of pedestrian safety.

The traffic police appear to have taken the decision unilaterally without considering the difficulties faced by pedestrians due to which pedestrians are now forced to cross the road in hazardous conditions, often holding hands to ensure safety amid the constant rush of traffic.

Designated pedestrian lanes at major crossings have disappeared, and no provisions have been made to regulate vehicle speeds after the removal of traffic signals.