“Residents demand reopening of the Fatimanagar T-junction to ensure pedestrian safety along the busy Pune-Solapur highway. Image by puneripages.in”
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
PUNE: Residents of Fatimanagar, Wanowrie, and Camp are urging the Pune Traffic Police to reopen a crucial T-junction near the Armed Forces Medical Stores Depot (AFMSD), claiming that its closure has severely compromised pedestrian safety. While the closure was originally meant to improve vehicle flow on the Pune-Solapur highway, locals argue that it has created a dangerous situation for hundreds of daily walkers, including senior citizens, schoolchildren, and working professionals.
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The Problem: A Risky Walk
With the T-junction sealed, pedestrians are forced to take a 700-metre detour along the busy, high-speed Pune-Solapur road — a stretch with heavy traffic and no dedicated footpath. This exposes them to constant danger from passing vehicles, especially during rush hours.
The absence of safe crossing points, combined with the sheer speed of traffic, has left residents deeply concerned. Many say that a short, safe crossing has been replaced with an unnecessarily long and hazardous route, prioritizing vehicle movement over human lives.
Residents’ Voices and Proposed Solutions
Civic activist Qaneez Sukhrani, who is leading the residents’ campaign, has stressed that the closure disproportionately affects the elderly and children. “Urban planning must consider people first, not just cars. Without a footpath, pedestrians are at constant risk,” she said.
The primary demand from the community is simple: reopen the T-junction for pedestrians and two-wheelers. This, they argue, would restore a direct, safe route and significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
The Official Rationale and Current Stance
The Pune Traffic Police closed the junction to create a smoother, signal-free corridor for vehicular traffic. However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rohidas Pawar has acknowledged the residents’ concerns and assured them of a review. He has also indicated the possibility of a joint inspection with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials to explore a safer alternative.
A Larger Urban Planning Challenge
This issue reflects a broader trend in rapidly growing Indian cities: infrastructure projects often prioritize vehicle efficiency over pedestrian safety. As Pune expands, balancing road development with walkable, people-friendly spaces will remain a critical challenge.
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