Pune: In the first eight months of this year, as many as 70 pedestrians have been killed in accidents on city roads. In the same corresponding (Jan-Aug) period in 2024, 65 pedestrians lost their lives, marking an uptick in fatalities year-on-year. In the entire span of last year, 119 pedestrians in total died in accidents. In 2023, this number rested at 121, as per figures released by the Pune city traffic police. Citizens, activists and experts alike have pointed to the lack of pedestrian infrastructure and growing disregard for traffic rules that have been leading to such deadly mishaps. Among leading causes for the deaths of pedestrians are accidents involving heavy vehicles and light commercial vehicles (LCVs). Police informed that a large number of pedestrians from the toll died on the Pune-Solapur highway, Pune-Saswad road, Katraj-Dehu road bypass, and Pune-Nagar highway, either while crossing the roads or walking along it. Commenting on the alarming statistics, additional commissioner of police Manoj Patil told TOI, “We are working with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to improve infrastructure for pedestrians. While designing a road, the pedestrian should be at the centre of the planning. We have already installed several pedestrian crossing signals across city areas, including Deccan, Kothrud, etc. More will be set up as well.” According to the police, the lack of proper footpaths, pedestrian road crossings, and highways lacking either pedestrian underpasses or overbridges are contributing to fatalities in this demographic. On the other hand, jaywalking is a cause of concern in pedestrian behaviour. “In some incidents, morning walkers were killed after being hit by vehicles. Our teams on morning duty generally request people not to take morning walks on highways,” Patil further said. Prashant Inamdar, convenor of the NGO Pedestrians First, also highlighted various behavioural trends among walkers that could contribute to their own lack of safety. “On priority, pedestrians must avoid the use of mobile phones and headphones while crossing roads and walking along them. They get distracted, and this has resulted in fatal accidents in the past. One such incident took place last year in front of the Kothrud PMPML stand, and a woman lost her life here,” he said. Inamdar added, “Secondly, on the outskirts of the city, morning walkers must avoid highways. Drowsy drivers at a high speed can hit them on these routes, often leading to unfortunate fatalities.” However, he emphasized that there are several infrastructural issues that need to be addressed urgently, which is the responsibility of the authorities concerned. Inamdar said, “There were several measures for pedestrians mentioned in the Urban Street Guidelines, but the majority of these have remained on paper. Look at the so-called Smart City projects on Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road and Fergusson College (FC) Road; what is the use of such wide footpaths if they are all encroached upon? Footpaths are also sorely neglected in fast-developing areas like Aundh and Baner.” The activist pointed out, “The old parts of the city tend to have fewer pedestrian fatalities due to narrow roads and less speed of vehicles. However, outskirts have wider roads and vehicles here ply at higher speeds. Reckless driving causes pedestrian fatalities.” He summed up, “Ultimately, motorists do not respect the rights of pedestrians, who are probably the most vulnerable category on the roads.”
