Considering the safety of pedestrians on roads, the general observations are made on the Ganeshkhind road about facilities available to pedestrians and their safety. This road caters quite a good number of pedestrians. A stretch of 2 kms footpath has been observed on both sides of the road. Several observations are made and discussed here based on the pedestrian policy document by Pune Municipal Corporation.
They are divided in different categories and described below.
1. Physical Characteristics:
Condition of footpath: Both sides of the roads have footpaths wide enough to accommodate pedestrian flow. But it is not continuous and disconnected at many points. This forced pedestrians to walk on the carriage way. The footpaths here have many interlocking tiles removed at several places which creates number of holes on it and thus making its surface uneven. It also has hanging cables on its way posing a risk to the footpath users. These cables are difficult to spot in chaos. It could cause accidents, especially when the pavement has already become slippery (due to rain). Several trees, advertising poles, electric DPs, small temples making it a discontinued footpath. It is clearly seen that the maintenance of the footpath has been neglected.
Disabled-Friendly: No, it is not disable-friendly footpath. Here, it lacks in all aspects. Tactile pavers on the surface of the footpath that helps visually challenged person is not fixed on it. There were no special signages for the person with disability. Bollards are fixed on the footpath, but the distance between them is not enough to pass a wheelchair-bound person and sometimes even a bicycle. Some bollards were damaged in such a way that it has blocked the footpath space. Though it is wide footpath, its width is not the same. Ramps are not properly maintained. It has damaged ramps and thus a wheelchair-bound person can find it very difficult to climb on footpath. Due to all these issues on the footpaths, they cannot be considered as disable friendly footpaths.
Cycle Track: It has cycle track which is quite good in condition at one side and the other side not properly maintained. Signages for cycle tracks are hung properly at both the side. It is still difficult to identify the cycle track since it merged with the footpath. As a result, it is observed that many cyclists are using the carriage way and not the cycle track. As per the pedestrian policy, cycle tracks should be demarcated or colored. This helps all road users to identify cycles track.
Mid-block crossing: There is a raised mid-block crossing having refuge space where pedestrians can wait/pause while crossing the street. Kerb height is another issue with mid-block crossing and not designed disabled-friendly. It also has bollards. Again, it has been fixed in such a way that a wheelchair-bound person cannot pass through it. Some bollards are damaged and blocking the entry point.
Other utilities: According to the pedestrian policy, the arterial roads should have user friendly toilets and trash bins all along the road. Though it has well maintained trash bins, one cannot find a user-friendly toilet on the footpath of the Ganeshkhind road. It also has well-maintained shaded bus stops leaving the space for pedestrian’s movement. The facilities like wide footpaths are being misused for parking and hawking. Parking on the footpath is a violation of traffic rules. Still we find it here and all around the city. There is no cycle stand on the footpath. Some portion of footpath is beautified with colored wall and some social messages written on it.
Junctions/Intersections:
Three junctions are observed from pedestrian safety perspective. At most of the junctions, indiscipline traffic is observed. Near the Abil House junction, there is time allotted for pedestrian crossing, but not followed by the vehicles. As soon as the signal of the other side turns red, the vehicles from another side start moving. Thus, pedestrians have to cross the roads at junction at a risk to their life.
Similar observations are made at the other two junctions. Junction near the Krishi Vidyapeeth had the police patrolling vehicle, but they didn’t take any action against the traffic rule breakers.
3. Encroachment:
It is one of the major reasons for the discontinued footpath. A garage at Khairewadi occupied all the footpath space and makes it discontinuous. Two auto rickshaws were found illegally parked on the footpath near the garage. At the E-Square, some snack centers have occupied the space on the footpath. Also, Goddess Laxmi Temple is located on one side of the footpath and Suryamukhi Datta Temple on the other side which has blocked the footpath completely. As a result, pedestrians have to step out on the carriage way and are thus exposed to all kinds of dangers.
4. Pedestrians behavior:
Most of the pedestrians are using footpaths even if it has hanging cables, a number of holes in it and discontinuous. Pedestrians also use cycle tracks to walk on as it is merged with the footpath and difficult to identify. There are also two wheelers travelling in opposite directions on the footpaths, but not a single pedestrian wants to complain about them.
5. Pedestrians views:
The pedestrians were contacted directly and their views on pedestrian safety, condition of footpath, where to complain, would you like to complain about it, etc. are recorded. Some pedestrians talked about the issues of illegal parking and encroachments on the footpath which forced them to use the road instead of the footpaths. One of the pedestrians said that two wheelers on the footpath is a major issue these days. If we ask them to drive on the road, they reply back very rudely. We do not like to talk to such people.
Many pedestrians do not know where to complain and when asked whether they would like to complain, the answer was no. It is not going to be useful even if we complain since no action will be taken, is the reason given by most of the pedestrians. Some responded that due to lack of time, safety and non-seriousness of the government we are not interested in complaining. Some said they can complaint in PMC or to the respective Nagarsevak. Lack of proper maintenance of the footpaths is another issue identified by the pedestrians.
Footpath analysis:
Based on the following three parameters, the footpaths on Ganeshkhind road were analyzed.
1. Safety: Footpath is wide enough and can accommodate two-way pedestrian traffic. Cycle track signages are fixed wherever needed, the footpath was clean and free of stink.
2. Danger: Crossings at junctions is very risky. Hanging cables. Number of holes on the footpath, ramps not properly maintained, non-continuous, uneven surface of the footpath at one side and encroachments were the reasons cited.
3. Convenience: Trees on footpath provide shade to pedestrians. Trash bins are fixed at many points along the footpaths. Bus stops are with shade.
Footpaths are given the least attention in our cities. The Ganeshkhind road can be considered as pedestrian friendly but not disable friendly. The footpaths on both sides of the road are walkable. As per the Pedestrian policy, the footpaths on this road have several lacunas (as mentioned above) that need to be sorted out. The footpath is of no use if they are occupied by encroachment. Some parts of the footpath are covered with hanging cables which is very dangerous. Given the circumstances, it is even more imperative for PMC to take action and remove cables immediately so as to avoid any mishap. The civic body should keep vigilance on a daily basis.
General Observations:
It is observed that except few, many pedestrians do not know where to complain about damaged or ill-maintained footpaths. Those who know said PMC, but where in PMC, they do not know the exact department or the concerned authority. Also, pedestrians are of the view that even after having complained and registered to the respective authority, it is of no use since no action takes place. This is a very strong belief in the mind of the pedestrians. As a result, pedestrians do not want to involve themselves in this issue. One of the pedestrians suggested that rather than a complaint by an individual, it would be more effective if some organization picks up this issue and puts it on the table of the concern authority.
Another pedestrian said that it is a problem of mentality. People don’t want to change. They are going to break the rules even if you have a perfect system. When asked about the Pune Connect App whether they know it or use it, it is found that is almost unknown to everyone (those who were contacted). After informing them about the app, many said that they would like to use it. Some said it is very convenient to register a complaint over the phone rather than going to PMC. But again, they have doubts about whether their complaints would be attended to by the PMC.
As noticed, most of the pedestrians use footpaths while walking on the road. From the above observations, it can be said that with the proper infrastructure in place it may be possible to change the behavior of pedestrians and help in disciplining the pedestrian traffic on the footpaths provided it is continuous.
Suggestions given by the pedestrians:
Some of the suggestions heard from the pedestrians are stated below:
Write the quotes on the footpaths directly rather than hanging it somewhere on the roads. (like “Having well maintained footpath is my right”, and so on will be helpful)
Since many people do not know where to complain and they aren’t interested in registering complaints for whatever reason, you can use your banner or poster on the footpath having contact number to register a complaint related to the footpath. Thus, people will submit the complaints to you, and you can register all these complaints to the concerned authority. That would be more convenient.
Contractors are mainly responsible for damaged footpaths. They do not use a good quality material while working on these public infrastructures and so, it has a short life. They should be sensitized first.
The quotes on the roads are not positive. It should be changed. (Like e.g.- Let’s keep Pune Clean. It can be changed in this way- My Pune is Clean and Beautiful.)